In reading Taylor Branch’s masterful account of the early civil-rights years, Parting the Waters, one story has stuck with me.  Vernon Johns, the controversial predecessor to Martin Luther King at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, was invited to speak at a bi-racial gathering of preachers.

When Johns got up to speak, nerves were already heightened.  Preachers of both races had never met together before.  And now, they were meeting to talk about unity.  Dismissing the opportunity to be a uniter, Johns upbraided his white brethren for caring only about Jesus after his death:

“The thing that disappoints me about the Southern white church is that it spends all of its time dealing with Jesus after the cross, instead of dealing with Jesus before the cross. The church has not formally denounced the Sermon on the Mount. It has merely let it slide. I want to deal with Jesus before the cross.”

That hits close to home.  For, I feel that is exactly what I have done. I have misunderstood Paul when he said “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).”  That “and” is important.  What Jesus said should hold for us added weight.

But often in our preaching to lead others to accept Christ we have encouraged others to except Christ.  “Believe in His death, burial and resurrection, but feel free to qualify His harder sayings.”

Instead of timeless truths, we produce a watered down version of the gospel.  We have Jesus excepted rather than Jesus accepted:

• Blessed are the meek, except for those of us in need of a healthy dose of pride and self-esteem.
• Blessed are the merciful, except for those who don’t deserve mercy.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, except for when we need to protect our own, defend our borders, or make the world safer.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, unless their view of righteousness disagrees with our political position.
• Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, except for your enemies and terrorists.
• Love your enemies except for your enemies.
• Give to the needy except those who don’t need it or take advantage of it.
• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, except a big house, huge car and all the accoutrements your heart desires.
• Do not be anxious about your life, except for when you are really worried about something.
• Judge not, except for those whose sins we especially despise.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, except for when pre-emptive measures call for violence.

This is harsh, I know.  But how often have we done just that?  How often have we qualified the words of Jesus applying our conditions to what He said?  How often have we thought we had a better handle on it than Jesus Himself did?
“Yes, Jesus said that, but…”  If Jesus said it, there should be no buts.

And if we applied what He said to our lives.  If we truly lived His teachings, what would happen?  What would the world look like?  If only we knew whether or not that would work.

Wait, we do:   Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

I am commiting to live my life more in acceptance of Jesus and what He said rather than excepting what He said.

I think I will be better off.  And more will see Him in me.