I’m not surprised anymore when someone on a news outlet shares bad theology. But it's still concerning because it’s beyond inaccurate – it’s dangerous!
Matthew Dowd, an MSNBC analyst and former Presidential advisor, recently made some bold claims on MSNBC about Jesus and Easter.
"The entire message of the gospels of the Easter holidays was love one another. And I have said this before, and I'll say it again: If Jesus Christ was alive today, He would be called a groomer, He would be called woke, and He would be called a socialist if He was alive today. If He was speaking the message He spoke in the gospels today about treating everybody with dignity – Jesus Christ hung around with prostitutes and tax collectors. He was nailed to a cross because He spoke on behalf of the most marginalized people in the Middle East."[2]
There's a lot wrong with this quote! The "woke" and "socialist" labels for Jesus are not accurate at all; I may address those in a future blog, but for now I want to discuss the three sentences in bold, especially regarding Easter.
Sentence 1: “The entire message of the gospels of the Easter holidays was love one another.”
Wow – this is patently false!
How could the entire message of the Gospel for Easter be about people loving one another, when Easter is about celebrating an event – the resurrection of Jesus? Loving one another is important, but it is not the primary message of Easter.
The Gospel message is this: God descended in the form of a man – Jesus – and took the punishment we deserve for our sins by dying on the cross, and He rose from the dead, defeating death.
Consider Jesus’ words about His resurrection and the connection to eternal life:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 NIV emphasis added)
Did Jesus tell His followers to love one another? Yes.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV emphasis added)
But if Jesus’ entire message was to simply love another, then why did He die on a cross? This assertion is simply wrong.
Sentence 2: “If He was speaking the message He spoke in the gospels today about treating everybody with dignity – Jesus Christ hung around with prostitutes and tax collectors.”
Did Jesus tell His followers to treat people with respect? Generally, “yes” but He went further. Jesus told His followers to love their neighbors (Matthew 19:19) and their enemies, and bless those who curse you.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28 NIV emphasis added)
So what am I taking issue with?
It's important to understand that while Jesus hung around with prostitutes and tax collectors that does NOT mean that He condoned or affirmed their behavior. Just the opposite – He said they were sinners and that the sick needed a doctor.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:11-13 NIV emphasis added)
Sentence 3: “He was nailed to a cross because He spoke on behalf of the most marginalized people in the Middle East.”
Again, this is patently false! Jesus did not die on the cross because He spoke on behalf the most marginalized.
In one sense, Jesus was condemned to death because He claimed to be God. In verses below, Jesus was being questioned by Jewish religious leaders and the high priest asked if He is the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus admits to being God and they condemn Him to death.
“I am,”said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. (Mark 14:62-64 NIV emphasis added)
But it's more accurate to say that Jesus chose to lay down His life…
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18 NIV emphasis added)
…and the reason why He laid down His life was to be a ransom to save humankind. In other words, Jesus took the punishment we deserve.
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV emphasis added)
I suspect Mr. Dowd is pushing these ideas about Jesus to appeal to a liberal viewership. While he may genuinely believe it, people need to be careful not to force an interpretation about Jesus to fit their preferences. Unfortunately this is happening too much, especially in this country. Many people are quoting Jesus or the Bible to suit their narrative, and those who are uninformed might believe it.
Summary Point:
It is essential that Christians read the Bible to be able to identify false ideas.