What Would Jesus Do?

I find myself wondering if I really know what I think I know. Today we are surrounded by “fake news” and AI generated information and images – it’s hard to know if what I’ve bought as true is actually true at all. It’s such an odd time, where people I trust as sane and thoughtful believe the polar opposite of what I believe to be true.

For example, I happen to trust vaccines. I trust the science behind them. I’ve had success in taking them. I observe what happens when you don’t take them (the current measles’s outbreak, covid, even whooping cough). The anti-vaccination proponents have gained a lot of momentum, especially since RFK Jr took hold of the Department of Health. They are so convinced that the science is wrong. Vaccines are harmful, even deadly. This anti-vaccination crowd now contains people I know. 

Why do they believe science and practice have it so wrong regarding vaccinations?  None of what I’ve read by these proponents has convinced me to change my mind about the safety of vaccinations. But none of the information I have has changed their minds either.  I read somewhere that nothing can be proven 100%, and for skeptics, that little bit of unknown is enough to push on.

The list of issues grows daily where I find myself on the opposite side. I’m careful whom I speak with on these hot topics. None of their arguments have changed my mind – but it does make me wonder. I am so confident that I am right and they are wrong. Am I the crazy one who doesn’t believe in conspiracies? Have I been fed the wrong algorithm? How can we know anything is true or not?

For me, the only real measure is what the Bible says I should be thinking or doing, none of which is specific to anything in today’s political climate. But perhaps the Bible doesn’t have to say anything specific about immigration or vaccinations or national debt. Perhaps the more important things have to do with my personal mindset and actions.

Many years ago a man named Charles Sheldon wrote a book titled In His Steps. In this book he had a fictional pastor challenge his congregation to spend a certain period of time (a month?) trying to only do what Jesus would do. From this came the much over used and played with mime “What Would Jesus Do?” WWJD.  Pushing its overuse aside, as a believer there probably isn’t a more important question for living my life in today’s world. What would Jesus do with anti-vaccers, or conspiracy theorists, or our current national administration? 

The Bible tells us that God doesn’t want our sacrifices (religious actions). He wants us to act justly, do mercy and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Jesus told us to “love one another” (John 13:34).”Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).  Other passages speak of loving as Jesus loved, forgiving as Jesus forgave (Ephesians 4:32). Justice, mercy, humility, love and forgiveness – that’s enough to keep us busy the rest of our lives. Those commands tell me what it is I should be about, and they also indicate what I should be listening to and trusting in. Does this thing support justice, mercy, love, forgiveness?  Does this person I wish to follow walk as Jesus’ walked, or at least encourage and allow me to do so?

So when looking at current issues what do I see of Jesus’ truth? I’ve talked about abortion before. Do I seek mercy, justice, love and forgiveness when I think about and vote on that issue? God’s justice never over-balances His love and compassion. Since we are all sinners and can’t help but sin, I know that’s why God had Jesus bear the punishment for sin – justice – so He can love the sinners. People might say, “love the sinner and not the sin” but do we? So often the focus is on the sin when it needn’t be, since God has paid the price for the sin already; we are free, as He is, to love the sinner – love each other- as Christ loves us.

Immigration fits into this formula as well. The problem of illegal immigration is quite large, but are we handling it with love and forgiveness?  How many illegal immigrants are actual criminals, their illegal status not withstanding? Is it just or merciful to treat them as such? And when arrested are they treated with mercy and compassion? Are we encouraging, with our votes, a government that shows mercy alongside justice, as God asks us to?

If we look at the issues asking, “what would Jesus do”, I think it gives us a different lens. And not just for the issues, but for whom we elect as well.  Do our elected officials act justly, and show mercy and humility for every one of their constituents? I don’t think it matters so much if they claim to be Christian or not. I know that sounds like heresy, but too many claim to be Christian and not show any Christ-likeness. But we’ve seen non-believers practice many Christ-like actions. I think God would push me more towards the behaviors that honor His creation, rather than behaviors than demean and dismiss those He created in His image.

For me, this is a good way to deal with all of the ‘truths’ thrust at me today. The Word of God never changes, neither does His character. I can trust doing what Jesus did the best I can, relying on His strength to do so.  That’s what I’m supposed to be about, and it includes how I make decisions regarding the tough issues in front of us.

What would Jesus do?  Still a pretty contemporary question to be asking ourselves, isn’t it?