Representing Jesus Wherever You Go
About the time I began my cancer treatment, I decided to start watching The Chosen. I was looking for some additional “spiritual input,” and after some encouragement from Gwen (who’s already watched all 5 seasons), I decided to give it a try.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s a multi-season television series about the life and ministry of Jesus. I have to admit that, initially, I was skeptical.
I’d seen such depictions before, and typically, they were over-dramatic and under-accurate. However, this series has captivated me, primarily because of how actor Jonathan Roumie has portrayed the Lord’s humanity as well as His divinity. Many times, I have been moved to tears and said to Gwen, “I needed this in this season.”
Evidently, I’m not the only one who feels this way. Roumie has admitted that many people he encounters actually identify him with the Savior. And he has recognized that, like it or not, he is representing Jesus wherever he goes.
Individuals will approach him and ask him to pray for them. Some actually will bring a sick child to him and ask him to intercede for the young one’s healing.
As you might imagine, such notoriety has not escaped the media. So, it’s not surprising that Jonathan was asked to sit for an interview on the popular talk show “The View.”
In this case, he was to be interviewed by Whoopi Goldberg. This happened several months ago, and what took place was jaw-dropping. I’d heard about it and found a video describing the interview in detail on YouTube.
From the beginning, it was clear that this was not going to be the typical, friendly interview. Whoopi had a clear agenda. She was going to use the occasion to challenge Roumie’s Christianity as narrow, judgmental, and repressive.
She lobbed some easy questions early on, and Jonathan answered them graciously and confidently. However, rather than satisfying her, the questions began to get more and more accusative and personal. The voiceover on the video mentions how the audience and the other co-hosts were stunned as Whoopi poured out a lifetime of bitterness and anger.
Roumie’s response was truly remarkable. While he validated her hurt and offered compassion for her pain, he did not shy away from the truth as to who Jesus was and what Jesus could offer.
Time and again, he acknowledged her frustration and hurt at the hands of some of the Lord’s followers, yet made it clear that that was not the heart of Jesus. In the end, Whoopi’s assault failed, and she sat back in resignation.
It’s been noted that since that interview, the two of them have had multiple conversations off-camera. Moreover, Whoopi has actually visited a church where she heard the gospel.
Jonathan had, in fact, represented Jesus not only on the screen but in real life. He later added that he feels the weight of that responsibility wherever he goes and that it’s a weight that he willingly bears.
Here’s where this gets personal to me.
Last Tuesday, I went in for my third chemo infusion. I was hooked up to the drugs and settled in for a long 4 hours in the chair.
During that time, a woman from Cancer Services showed up to share with us what they could offer. She was pleasant. Sadly, I was not.
I don’t know what was at play, but for some reason I was irritated, dismissive, and (well, let’s be honest) rude. Gwen shot me a look and tried to redeem the situation by saying that Cancer Services had been such a blessing during my mom’s last days.
Then came the bombshell. “I thought I recognized the name,” the rep said. “I used to go to Fellowship,” (the church I’d pastored for 34 years). “You’re Pastor Dave.”
Oops! Busted! I realized that I had been a jerk to not only a fellow believer but a former congregant. I tried to adjust my attitude, and the woman was more than gracious.
However, in retrospect, I realized that I had been a poor representative – not only of a pastor but of Jesus. I was deeply convicted and more than a little ashamed.
Then I thought, “But what if she hadn’t been a believer? What if she had never heard of Fellowship or Pastor Dave? Shouldn’t representing Jesus to her matter even more?”
I’ve been thinking about all of this ever since. I may not have the platform of a Jonathan Roumie, but I still have the platform of a disciple. And no matter how I might be feeling or how a person might come across to me, my attitude and actions reflect either positively or negatively on the One I claim to follow.
I can’t pick and choose the moment. This representation takes place all of the time.
The fact is, people are taking their cues regarding the Lord from my example. And guess what? They’re taking cues from your example as well.
The question isn’t, “Are we representatives of Jesus?” The question is, “What sort of representative are we?”
PRAYER REQUESTS
Here’s how you can pray for us in the coming days:
PRAISE God that Dave’s WBC was up enough for him to resume treatment. PRAY that it remains up after this round so we have no more delays. Next treatment is scheduled for Sept. 9.
PRAISE God that Dave’s side effects have been largely minor thus far, and he feels pretty good. His pain and discomfort in swallowing have also been greatly diminished, and his appetite has improved.
PRAY that we will represent Jesus well during this journey, no matter the circumstances.
PRAY for total healing.