I know Jesus. At least the Jesus in the Rose Bowl Parade. We were at Sem at the same time and he serves two congregations about 70 miles south of me. We see each other about once a month at our pastoral Circuit gatherings. He endures a great deal of good-natured ribbing for his recurring role!
Thanks to Becky for pointing me to this news article that summarizes some of the responses the float – and Jesus on the float – elicited on Twitter. I have to say that I share some of the mixed feelings of the responders. Admittedly I’m not a big parade person and therefore don’t share the same enthusiasm that many others do for this parade in general or the Lutheran Hour float specifically. But having a Jesus imposter on a float does seem to create more than a little room for criticism or at least confusion.
Living Apologetics 
March 24, 2017 at 8:20 am |
If you know Jesus, you should know what is most important to HIM.
No, it’s not “Love” without God.
Poem – What is love?
Two men came to Jesus
With different motivations.
They asked Him the same question
Relevant to all the nations:
Which is the Most Important?
The answer was the same.
Jesus did not manipulate
He was not there to play a game.
“Love the Lord your God” said Jesus
as He quoted from The Law –
to fulfill and not abolish
was His purpose, full of awe.
Jesus did not make all Scripture
Into one new great commandment.
He summarized The Law and Prophets
“First and Greatest” and “The Second.”
The Love of God is higher
Than the love of any man.
Receive from God, give back to God-
Then to others, that’s His plan.
The Love of God involves much more
Than simply “love your fellow man.”
Worship, trust, and pray to God,
and obey Him – that’s His plan
To worship and pray to neighbors,
Whoever they may be,
Or trust and obey our enemies
Would be idolatry.
The love of God is first and greatest,
And the love of man is second.
“All we need is love” are words
of dead Beetles on the pavement.
“The entire law is summed up in a single command”
are not the words of Jesus our Salvation.
It’s false teaching of Paul the Pharisee
an “accuser of our brethren.”
“Love” without God is Satan’s word through Paul
in his chapter to the Corinthians.
“I will show you the most excellent way”
is the road to eternal perdition.
Where is God in Paul’s chapter on love?
Nowhere in view of the eye.
Paul sings about himself like a Mexican Mariachi
“I, I, I, I.”
Jesus is The Most Excellent Way
Not the words of a Pharisee.
The words of Jesus are very clear.
Jesus said, “You must follow ME.”
March 26, 2017 at 6:53 pm |
Do you know the voice of Jesus, or the voice of an accuser?
Poem – Looking forward (Rocky)
Jesus never calls us out
For what we used to be.
His voice is so much greater
Than paul the Pharisee.
“You are Simon son of John”
said Jesus, without elaboration.
No mention of a cloudy past
No hint of condemnation.
No accusation against the brothers
No comments dark and obscure,
Writing to the Church in Corinth
“that is what some of you were.”
Not the voice of the accuser,
Boss Paul the Pharisee,
Telling the redeemed people of God
About what they used to be.
Jesus never said right is wrong,
He never said wrong is right.
He came so we can turn from darkness
And into His glorious light.
“Neither do I condemn you” said Jesus,
to a woman entrapped by dogs.
The game the dogs play is the same today,
Except now they do it on blogs.
“Go and sin no more” said Jesus,
Don’t relive that history.
Look forward, not back, don’t dwell on your past.
“You will be called” Rocky.
May 20, 2017 at 5:28 am |
For those who have ears to hear……
The Star of The Show
Jesus calls us to Himself
When The Show begins
We’re infants – so He humors us
It’s “Rocky and His Friends”
Like a little squirrel dressed up
As a flying superhero
We give ourselves the Title
And zoom around the atmosphere Oh!
I have come to save the day!
We proclaim with a big smile
And Jesus is my co-pilot
So I’m always top of the pile
God our Father loves his children
He is patient as we grow
So we take another step
It’s “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show”
As we journey with The Moose
Faithfully by our side
We get a revelation
We have to swallow our pride
“He must become greater”
He really is The Star
“I must become less,” but still
With Him I’ll travel far
“You must follow me,” says Jesus
In His eyes I see a twinkle
He is not MY friend I am HIS
Jesus is The Star – like Bullwinkle