WWJD?

I remember in the 90’s the people wearing cloth bracelets with the letters WWJD on them.  Overnight it seemed like they were everywhere.  What was a little strange to me was that it wasn’t just people from my Christian community that was wearing them but that it was kids and adults from school too. 

I had no idea until recently that the phrase “What would Jesus do?” had been around for a hundred years already.  Charles Sheldon wrote a Christian novel in 1896 that tells the story of a pastor who challenges his congregation to live their lives as Jesus would.  The main character in the book is a pastor named Henry Maxwell who is deeply troubled by the lack of Christian morality and values he sees in his congregation and community.  He begins to ask himself the “WWJD?” question in every situation he faces, and he encourages his congregation to do the same. One of the central themes is the idea that Christians should live out their faith in their daily lives, rather than simply professing it on Sundays.  This includes being honest, selfless, and compassionate, even in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

I resonate with the uncomfortable.

The book also addresses issues of social justice, including poverty, inequality, and the treatment of marginalized groups.  One of the key characters in the book is a homeless man named jack, who becomes a central figure in the story and challenges the main characters to examine their own prejudices and assumptions. The characters struggle with the challenge of living up to Jesus’ example, and face difficult decisions and moral dilemmas.  The book encourages readers to think deeply about their own values, and priorities, and to strive to live their lives in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus.

The teachings of Jesus. 

Okay, this is where there is a ton of debate within the Christian community. 

There are no passages in the Bible where Jesus specifically shows compassion towards members of the LGBTQ community. There are however, passages that are debated within the church as for if they are actually saying that consensual same sex relationships are acceptable.  It also needs to be noted that there are passages in the bible where the original word used was not homosexual, rather it was “sexual deviant”.  Hence the debate.

Ultimately, the message of Jesus is one of love, compassion, and acceptance, and Christians are called to love and care for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

Christians are also called to not judge. Matthew 7:1 says, “Do not judge or you shall be judged.” That’s pretty clear to me.  Jesus even calls out a bunch of pharisees for judging someone known to be a prostitute. Saying, “If you are without sin, throw the first stone.” When no one could say they were without sin, they all left and Jesus himself, God’s son, part of the holy trinity says, “Then I won’t condemn you. Go live your life, without sin.”

Jesus himself did not judge.

WWJD? He wouldn’t judge.  Period.

So what should we do? WE SHOULDN’T JUDGE!

There are a few other things we could do.

1. Loving and Accepting Attitude: Jesus sat and ate with the marginalized.  Invite members of the Pride community into your homes, sit at your table and eat with them.
2. Respect Human Dignity: Jesus would likely advocate for treating them with kindness, compassion, and respect and stand up against discrimination, stigma or violence targeted them. He would certainly not strip them of their rights as human beings.
3. Promoting inclusivity: Jesus was known for reaching out to marginalized and excluded individuals.
4. Promoting dialogue and understanding: Jesus is a peacemaker and advocate for reconciliation.
5. We can encourage open, respectful, and compassionate dialogue between different groups of people. We can aim to promote mutual understanding, empathy and finding common ground.

What do you think? What has been weighing on your heart and mind in this last bit? What do you think Jesus would do in your community? I’d love to hear!