Manifesto: A Re-Tuning

By definition a manifesto is “ a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer”. So by all rights and standards this is my manifesto!

I am denying Jesus. 

I am denying the Jesus of suburban utopia. The Jesus that would call for me to support our troops by sending weapons of mass destruction to annihilate innocent men, women, and children in the name of “justice”. I am denying the Jesus, that is supported by Scripture references intended to bring peace and unity, but used instead to promote self-indulged agendas that bring neither. I am denying the Jesus that is often touted from pulpits and radio broadcasts as your cure all. I vehemently oppose the Jesus of the feel good movement. The Jesus that would have me believe that He came here to make you life better today. The Jesus that would suggest that all of your life’s ambitions and goals are here to be realized. I stand in complete disobedience to the Jesus spoken of through our words of hate and indifference to the civil liberties of all humanity. To the Jesus who is more consumed with getting the references right, rather than speaking to the heart of our needs and our hurts. 

I publicly profess my lack of trust in the Superpower Jesus. 

The Jesus who uses a political platform to endorse widespread poverty and disregard for basic human needs. I stand against the Jesus defended by men who use their strength to control their spouse or children by word and action. I refuse to accept the Jesus of capitalism. Nor will I bow down to the Jesus of “you will get yours”.

 I disavow any connection to the Superspiritual Jesus.

 I refuse to answer to men who think that by their lofty words and misguided interpretations of Scripture they will convince me that they way I dress or decorate my body is an abomination to the King. I refuse to honor men and women who stare blindly at the plight of humanity, offering no legitimate long term hope. I will reject any attempt to denigrate the Risen Lord of Creation to an erratic, insensitive land owner who accepts payment for the life he has given (both his own and to us) by adhering to traditions and doctrines that are dead and rotting corpses of failed religion motivated by greed and power. I refuse to accept the Jesus whose divine authority has been removed from him like testicles from a bull. 

I refuse to be answerable to CEO Jesus. 

The Jesus who runs his kingdom and churches like a corporation. Who “dismisses” unproductive followers only to replace them with people who will give more back. I deny the Jesus of the chat rooms. The Jesus who is idolized as “all-knowing” with a little help from those who can update Facebook faster than anyone else. 

I reject the instant gratification Jesus.

The Jesus that both offers and provides immediate satisfaction for all who will chant the mantra “Jesus wants this for you”. I will reject the Jesus professed by those who believe that they are justified in treating fellow followers of the Way to a lethal dosage of verbal diarrhea just because they disagree with their opinions.

I disregard the Jesus who is not mysterious at all. 

Who looks, acts, and responds the same way a drunken father does to a child. Who has no patience. Who has no kindness. Whose compassion is simply a paper pancho that disintegrates once the storms of life soak his followers.

Instead. 

 I turn to the Jesus introduced in the New Testament. 

The Jesus who, existed before all as God and showed up on this earth as an infant. Who lived among the creation that he was responsible for initiating and was rejected by most of them. The Jesus who was sent by the Father to redeem fallen humanity.  The Jesus who commissioned the disciples to love unyieldingly toward all.  The Jesus who would submit to grant redemption.  The Jesus who would die that I might live.  The Jesus who walked away from the grave, just as He said He would.  The Jesus who ascended back to where He came from. The Jesus who promised to one day return and gather those whom He preceded in death to bring them into the fullness of life.  The Jesus who continues to work this day through the faithful who love Him and are led by the Holy Spirit through this wilderness. 

I bow before the Jesus of compassion.

I believe in the Jesus who in an attempt to save disgrace for newly wed couple, turned water into wine. (Not some form of “welch’s grape for those of you can’t get past the idea that wine would have touched the lips of God’s son.) I believe in the Jesus that knelt down and hugged the leper or the woman who couldn’t stop bleeding. The Jesus who told the religious elite of his day that their entire method of interpreting the Scriptures was as sour and putrid as the smell of their whitewashed souls. The Jesus who told the leaders of the the day that prostitutes and tax collectors would enter the kingdom of heaven before they would. The Jesus who could accept everyone who was broken, not just the ones who could quote the Scriptures “properly”. 

I yield to the Jesus of provision.
I accept the Jesus who looked at his mother in her pain while he was on the Cross and gave her John as a son to look after her. I will believe in the Jesus who called out for complete forgiveness for those who had no idea they had beaten, stripped naked, and were about kill the Son of the Living God. 

I follow the Jesus of redemption.  

I will believe in the Jesus who died a murderer’s death (which was mine) in my place. I choose to believe that God did love me beyond measure and as such made a way for me to see that love in Jesus.  I will believe in the Jesus that rose from the grave to prove His ability to “forgive sins”. I will follow after the Jesus who judges me not for the many sins I have committed, but for the repentance that followed them. My proclamation is to the son of God whose reign is eternal not temporary. I will believe in the Jesus who died to give my life back to me. I will proclaim the Jesus who was despised for his love. I will celebrate the Jesus who endorsed the Old Covenant, but died for the New.

Lord Jesus I repent.

I repent of those things that have hindered my drawing to you. Seeking others approval, before yours. Wanting to be loved by broken humanity more than complete divinity. Denying compassion to those that just don’t fit the picture. 

I repent of the lifestyle that promotes adulation and praise for me rather than you. 

I repent of the times when I failed to love and honor those around me, because it was easier to be right.

I repent of the times when my anger got the best of me. Jesus I repent of my insolent heart. 

I repent of the times I wished violence and pain on those who had hurt me.

I repent of not loving my wife and children more than ministry.

I repent of neglecting my mother and sisters in order that I might achieve the accolades of "spiritual". 

Mostly Lord I repent of not giving forgiveness. 

Increase my faith dear King. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.

Soli Deo Gloria