In the 1990s, there was a big fad to wear the What Would Jesus Do? braclets. On one hand, it was probably started with very sincere intentions-to make people constantly aware of keeping the ideas and message of Jesus in their daily conduct and lives. However, it soon turned into a way to show your Christianity to the world-to stand for your faith, or maybe to show just how committed or religious you were. The Pharisees of Jesus day had some similar customs. They would take the most extreme and radical interpretations of the law of Moses and wear broad “phylacteries” which were essential little boxes on the chest that would contain the Hebrew scriptures. They also went beyond the law of Moses and wore “outside tassels” to show that they were not only complying with the law, but going above and beyond in that pursuit. Jesus almost mocks them for this outward display of religious piety in Matthew 23. Jesus was not interested in them dressing religiously, but actually living out the justice of God.
Just as Jesus was not impressed with the religious “dress” and outward piety of the Pharisees, it is hard to imagine that he is too impressed with us sharing the “I love Jesus” link on Facebook or putting a fish on the back of our car. He is certainly not impressed with a cross hanging around our neck. What if Christians instead were known for their simplicity in their housing, dress, transportation? That what set Christians apart was not a bumper sticker but an extreme generosity, desire for justice, and an identification with the poor and oppressed. Ultimately, our Christianity may be more on display but what car we drive or house we live in than with what t-shirt or bumper sticker we have. Oh the irony of putting a cross or symbol of Jesus on our extravagance.
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