Maybe Jesus would wear a tuxedo t-shirt...

Many a preachers have theologized about the family mealtime prayer offered by Ricky Bobby in the movie Talladega Nights. Usually we point out how this prayer is a bit of a caricature of Christianity and how it is that many Christians have some version of this prayer life. 

I would like to offer up that perhaps Cal's contribution to the prayer may not be too far off the mark. Perhaps Jesus would wear a tuxedo t-shirt. Below is the clip from that prayer:

In the story of Palm Sunday Jesus rides in on a donkey to throngs of people. Part of the reason that he rides a donkey is to poke fun and overturn the more traditional festival known as the Roman Triumph. The Triumph was a festival that celebrated the military conquest of a commander on the behalf of Rome. The spoils of the war were brought in including but not limited to gold and slaves. The general would ride in on a horse drawn chariot and was adored with rich purple and a crown. Throngs of people would cheer him on. A sacrifice to the gods were made and the captors of war were slaughtered. It was a celebration that put the full force of violence on display - reinforcing the myth of redemptive violence. 

So for Jesus to enter into the heart of the Jewish people on a donkey with throngs of people cheering him on is a direct mocky of the Triumph. Instead of offering a sacrifice to the gods after the Triumph, Jesus goes into the temple and drives out the corruption. To say Jesus was just choosing to ride a donkey because it was convenient misses some of the layers Jesus is trying to expose - violence cannot root out violence, only forgiveness can do that.

Today if we were to celebrate a great acheivement, say the election of a President or the academy awards, we would all put on our best clothes. Perhaps women would wear dresses and we would all talk about who wore the dress the best. Perhaps men would wear tuxedos and we would talk about which man looks the most "put together". Maybe we would even have T.V. shows dedicated to ranking people on their status as they moved into the celebration. 

Maybe Jesus would be in attendance. Maybe Jesus would want to make a statement about   silliness of the cult of celebrity and celebration of the mundane with such violence and injustice in the world. Maybe Jesus would want to point out that these false distinctions of status we wear on our bodies are just missing the point of what the Kingdom of God is like.

Maybe in order to make this point, Jesus might step out of his 1977 VW bus sporting a tuxedo t-shirt. 

And we would laugh him out of the celebration and wonder why he would make such a mockery of such an important celebration.

Parenthood Reveals My Self Idolization

When I think about it I am a little afraid of the outside influences on my sons. I think about the "quality" of his teachers, friends, coaches and other influences. I ponder what movies are appropriate and how much "screen time" they should have because, I tell myself, I want to find positive role models and good influences in my sons' life. 

Which is true.

But is also sort of masks a little truth which is if I allow all sorts of influences in my son's life that I can control then that means there is a possibility that my influence on him will shrink. It is the diminishment of me that is a big reason that I am able to find all sorts of reasons why my son cannot hang out with those people, have that teacher/coach, participate in that club/trip/experience and/or have too much screen time. 

Both of my sons teach me things everyday and I continue to be in awe at their curiosity and innocence. What I was unprepared for are the things that my sons reveal in me through my actions as a parent. And one of these revelations parenthood reveals to me is how much I idolize myself.

It is convenient that I always have concerns about how other people and things influence my sons but I rarely have any concern about my influence on him. The Bible speaks about elevating yourself over others. Jesus speaks about removing the plank in our own eye before talking about the speck in others. Putting myself at the center of my sons' lives is just another way that I am reminded of just how far I have to mature to be able to die to myself.

The Grand Marshal is Not the Leader

PDX Carpet was named the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Starlight Parade, March 20, 2015 (KOIN 6 News)

The Grand Marshal in a parade is not the leader. Yes, they may be in the front of the parade. They may be the most recognizable name in the parade to those observing the parade. It is an honor to be a Grand Marshal. You get special treatment and access. You may be the Grand Marshal of the parade, but everyone knows you are not leading the parade. And to be honest, the job of a parade Grand Marshal can be (and recently was) accomplished by a carpet roll.

If the Grand Marshal deviated from the parade route, no one in the parade will follow. It is clear that there is something other than the Grand Marshal who is the leader of the parade. Everyone knows it but few ever see who that leader is. 

The same can be said about Church. The clergy or senior leadership functions like the Grand Marshal. They may be in front, but they are not leading. The Church is (and has always been and will always be) lead by God in Christ through the Holy Spirit. 

Just because you are up front does not mean you are leader.