A Stitched on Jesus (Ouch)

Cool Jesus T!

I don’t write often, but when I do I try to make it something worthy of my time. That’s my mistake. Everything is worthy of my time.

Today I want to talk to you all about a little thing I’m calling the stitched on Jesus. I don’t know who popularized it or when it became so, but the stitched on Jesus is the new craze for you crazy Christians out there. It’s the hip, cool thing to do to scream to the world Jesus is your savior. Hey, look, that’s cool with me. Scream all you like. For all I care the local coven could be your God. Have at it.

I just don’t get it though, at least not from what I’ve seen. I get you want to express your religion. Cool. I get Jesus is your savior and you love Him. Even better.

What I don’t get is when you scream Jesus but aren’t Jesus.

What it seems like to me is some people get all wrapped up in consumerism Christianity, instead of Christianity. They get too wrapped up in looking like a Christian than being a Christian. What’s up with that? When we start buying t-shirts with Jesus on the Cross and words like “I Surrender” with a picture of the cross and stop going to church there’s a problem.

Now once upon a time Jesus didn’t need his name screamed out. As a matter of fact (and I could be wrong) but I swear one of my classes taught me He preferred people show people Jesus rather than explain it and shout it out to them. I don’t see this happening. People today show Jesus. They wear Jesus like a fashion statement from 1,000 years ago. And sure, they may believe in Jesus but they sure as heck aren’t.

If, like the bible says, we are made in Gods image then lets act like it. Instead of spending $15 on a shirt give it to someone who truly needs it (the money or the shirt) Instead of spending $115 on that sweet Gold chain save your money, buy a plane ticket and go chill out with some lepers in Calcutta.
Jesus never wanted us to wear His name like some over popularized tattoo. Wearing a shirt does not make you a Christian (unless it says it does. By the power vested in me by the consumer association of these here americas, I here by make you a Christian)

The only way to be a Christian is to be a Christian. Put down the Bible, give church a day off, and make a break for it. Your soul may depend on it.

Disclaimer: Obviously I think too many peopre are choosing to go the route of the stitched on Jesus rather than the one He actually suggested we take, including some close friends. Obviously this is their choice and it’s not necessarily a bad one for them, just not the one for me. I think we need consumer driven Jesus fans just as much as anyone.

Also, parts of this post (if not all of it) was inspired by The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Shane is one of the founders of the Simple Way community up in Philadelphia, people who truly get it.