Jesus Excepted
April 4th, 2006 | by Scott |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.
17 Responses to “Jesus Excepted”
By Greg on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Wow…
How would this go over at your church if it came from the pulpit? All I can say is Amen, and Amen.
By Scott on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Greg,
We may soon find out. I’m thinking about preaching something along these lines soon.
Thanks for the amen.
By James on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Preach it. Seriously. Amen.
By John on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
I agree you should preach this. It seems as perfect compliment to the sermon you just posted. When we add the except we become Jonah in a sense in loving only those who feel should be loved. All too often imho we Christians seem to fall into the trap of thinking we’re an exclusive club and only once saved are worthly of love and forget that to get saved we have to be reached first. Jesus only saved by being with the unsaved.
I know this isn’t to clear a thought line right now, you’ve posted some real thought provking items and I’m sure it’s going to take some time for them to real sink in.
By Terri on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
You blogger type people have GOT to get off my toes!
By Scott on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
I follow you John. There is a connection, for sure. We tend to want to pronounce God’s judgment more than His grace.
Sorry, Terri. I’m on mine too.
By Phil Wilson on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
See, this is the prophet stuff I was talking about below.
Preach it!
By darren on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
I guess I need to present you with my other cheek, because that just slapped me in the face. How easily I give in to pragmatism. How thankful I am that we do not have a pragmatic God. Thank you for confronting me.
By MamaQ on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Count me slapped as well.
By George Freeman on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Bring it on brother! I really am glad you didn’t have serious injury jumping down those stairs!
By Hero on Apr 5, 2006 | Reply
sigh.
By Tracy3906 on Apr 5, 2006 | Reply
This is one of our best entries. Thanks for the challenge. Too bad I have to live with you, though.
By mac sandlin on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
Wonderful thoughts Scott, and I loved that you, unlike many of the more progressive/liberal coC bloggers are pointing the finger at yourself and at others only by proxy. I like that your statements were “I’m going to try harder,” “I felt slapped in the face.” etc. Rather than, “The church should feel slapped in the face.” and “You should try harder.” When preachers are humble enough to admit that they struggle too, the folks in the pew (or at the computer) are inspired to improve instead of angry at being insulted. This has been a great blessing to my day. God bless your congregation when you preach it.
By JackieW on Apr 8, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
with a high empathy level and can feel what it’s like to be on both sides of an issue. If human feelings are involved, I’m feeling it. This keeps me from turning cruel when tempted to. Hallelujah!!!
The Sunday you preach this one, I’m gonna be in tears again, I can just see it coming!! (This is good, just so you know.) I was crying when you shared with us about the Soulforce event at ACU. I was proud of how ACU decided to handle that challenge… like Jesus would. But we christians DON’T always act like our Lord and Master would have us act.
I for one am trying, but it is hard not to react like the world does when we live IN the world. I guess what helps ME the most is I was blessed (or cursed)
BTW, I’m so glad God blessed us by bringing the Freeman family to Northside!