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Ah, the "what would Jesus do" question! From a practical standpoint, it is impossible to know what anyone might do in any given circumstance. It is certainly not possible to know what Jesus would really do. Philosophically, however, it certainly becomes an intriguing question when we apply this question to actions in our own lives. It is really more "What do I believe Jesus would do?" And then it becomes a matter of our own faith.
And so, rather than ask WWJD?, ask "How should I act in light of what I believe about God, Jesus, and all matters of faith?"
For me, a good starting point is what seems to be a basic tenet of Jesus' teachings. Listen to what he said:
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.'"
Now, what do you think he meant by that? The Greeks had 3 words for love: Eros (physical, sexual love), philios (brotherly love, warm affection) and agape. The last is an unconditional love; the love of God. How do we love ourselves? Not in limited ways, certainly. We do our all to make our lives better, to survive, to be. So when we love others, it is not just a hug or a coin in the bucket of the bell-ringer, or a dollar in the collection plate or even a smile to a stranger. Love is a verb. It is an action word. It requires that we do. What would Jesus do? How would Jesus love?
We don't see much of this faith in action at work. We don't see it frequently in public. We don't read too much about it in the news. We don't see it in the political campaigns of either party. Do we practice it? When? Where? How? It isn't easy.
Recent events in my life have left me wondering how some people can sleep at night, the things they have done or decided to do. Some impact me and people I know. I am not sure what I should do. WWJD? I'm not sure. Would he overturn tables and raise a riot? That got him crucified. I don't have that much courage. Should I forgive them and tell them to "go and sin no more?" I doubt they perceive their actions as a sin; it's just their "job." Sometimes I feel like doing what another part of scripture says about our Lord.
John 11:35 - "Jesus wept."
That won't accomplish anything, of course, but it shows that Jesus cared deeply. We each care deeply about certain things or people or events. Then, we must act on them. What would YOU do? You need to decide that in light of your faith. I pray that you always will.
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