If our “chief and highest end is to glorify God, and to fully enjoy Him forever,” and equally to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” how do we as Christians engage with those that are anti-Christ? How do we do this especially in a politically charged climate? Many of our brothers and sisters are rightfully concerned about the state of the world, especially here in the United States (which is my own context). So I share their concerns and agree that the only remedy is to cry out to God for His mercy to heal our nation and to turn it away from wickedness.

My hope is that people who engage with those they disagree with would treat them as they themselves would like to be treated. Unfortunately, based on how I see people commenting on social media or talking amongst themselves, I am doubtful. Their speech is often full of pride and boasting, which is not of God. Instead, it’s full of human vanity. This is repugnant, and no side is without blame here. I see it amongst those with whom I agree on a lot of issues. Shame on all of us.

#HeGetUs

Recently, I was reminded of a conversation I had with Nick Padovani, the editor of Elisha’s Riddle, regarding the He Gets Us ads that ran on this year’s Super Bowl. These well-crafted advertisements were designed to remind America, a nominally Christian country, that Jesus understands the hardships people face and that He unconditionally loves humanity. Also, that Christ isn’t a culture warrior and He isn’t just for some people. I can dig that message, but apparently some of those on the both the left and right (politically and theologically speaking) were upset with these ads. Those on the left took issue with the group behind the ads and their opposition to LGBT beliefs, abortion, and other culture war topics. For those on the right, the ads were considered “woke” and just another watering down of the gospel. Unfortunately, it seems both sides missed the point trying to be made.

The one ad that got the most attention was the foot washing one, specifically a scene of a priest washing the feet of what appears to be an effeminate man, representing, I assume, the whole LGBT crowd. The complaints against it from conservative believers was that this was another depiction of the church watering down our faith in the name of tolerance. In this viewpoint, the church is lowering itself and submitting itself to the role of a servant washing the feet of an unfit sinner. While some admit that the ad shows our need to reach out to the vulnerable and weak, they feel it is a betrayal of the faith.

In my conversation with Nick about this, I expressed my concern in people missing the point and focusing only on the activists (and by extension the identity groups) rather than the individuals caught up in these lifestyles and behavior. In other words, the response to the ad isn’t about the individuals but rather the identities they represent. What they aren’t seeing is a man (who happens to be a priest) humbling himself to show mercy to another, and the other being given the humbling call to accept this gift of love from someone who would take issue with their sexual orientation.

John 13 Love

This image of the foot washing is from an ad called Foot Washing with a number of vignettes of this kind of activity between different people who would normally be at odds with one another. The vignettes mimic Christ’s actions described in John 13 where he washes all the disciples’ feet (including those of His betrayer, Judas). In this act, Christ humbled Himself to be a servant to those who, while still His disciples, would betray and leave Him to one degree or another. This is not an image of Him accepting them for those things, but for something else….for who they really are, His children, His brothers and sisters, His bride.

We need to see this with Kingdom eyes. It is the foolish things that confound the wise. With earthly eyes we see the fool, the sinner, being elevated above those who appear to be righteous. With Kingdom eyes, we see people loving the other as they love themselves. Therefore, the people washing the feet of their supposed “enemy” are lifted up in these ads as they mimic the role of Christ. They are elevated above those having their feet washed. Those having their feet washed are being humbled and made to submit vulnerability and the need for care. It is a beautiful image. For many, unfortunately, they are seeing this with earthly eyes, even those who profess Christ.

What is the reason for this? I would suggest that they have not yet found their identity wholly in the Lord. They are still holding on to their earthly identity. And I get it. Hear me, I’m not speaking as if I’ve somehow arrived and need to worry no further. I have yet to love Him with my whole being. I do, however, try with earnest effort to remember that my identity is in nothing but Christ. His ways are not my ways. His love is not my love. I need to conform to His image within me. One of those conformities is to love others, especially your enemies. This love isn’t with a fist or with screaming, but with kindness and serving. This is what makes following Jesus so revolutionary and scandalous. It’s also what makes it so challenging to do on our own. Thankfully our gracious Father sent His spirit to dwell within us!

Perhaps by placing God and our neighbor as the focus of our affections we can bring things to earth as they are in heaven. Instead of trying to force something to happen or get anxious over things, we rest in our assured victory on the cross. We focus on loving our Father and one other and then real change happens. For those who know me, I am not one for getting rolled. But you see, I died and resurrected with Christ. In Him, I have the victory. As I continue to focus on Him, my earthly eyes get weaker and weaker, while my Kingdom eyes get stronger and stronger.

There are many ways the future may play out. The Lord is giving voice to more and more people to speak out against injustices. I pray that they always remember His commandments of love along the way. 

Thank you for reading along in this series. I am aware that it may sound as if I am naïve, but I am not. Instead, I am wrestling with what our Lord says and thinking about it in the context of politics. I see the direction many are taking to confront the challenges of our time and I watch their frustration and anxiety. I don’t believe this is what Jesus intends for us. What if we need to move in another way, His way, a way talked about in Scripture? It would be something that would appear foolish, counterproductive, maybe even woke, if I was only looking with my own eyes.

If you have read this series, and maybe even caught me on the podcast, I would love to hear from you at mmontalbano@awakenj.com.