How Would Jesus Treat Obama?

How would Jesus treat Obama? The only way to really find out is to look at how Jesus treated the governing leaders of his day. How did Jesus respond to Herod, Pilate, and others who led his nation?

A quick summary reveals some mundane yet significant highlights:

1. Jesus paid taxes.
2. Jesus obeyed the law.
3. Jesus never mocked or made fun of his nation's leaders.
4. Jesus showed love to all without favoritism.

The first two (taxes and obeying the law) are usually understood by those who claim to follow Jesus (excluding music piracy and a few other so-called acceptable exceptions).

Number three, not ridiculing national leaders, has been a tough one for the Christian community. At some point along the way, I think Christians forgot that the President, Speaker of House, and others who serve in Washington are people who Christ died for as well.

Here's how I prove this point: When people think of Christians and politics, what comes to mind? Is it, "So many Christians are praying for our nation's leaders and have a high respect for their governing authorities. We should all strive to be more like them."? Unfortunately, this has not been my experience.

Christians+Politics usually ends up meaning conservative, white, Republican, talk-show loving, socialist-hating, Obama-administration bashing, rednecks and neanderthals (or worse). This stinks, but is too often true.

What can be done? Number four would be a great place to start: showing love to all without favoritism. If my Senator or President of Vice-President had a recording of your conversations for past two weeks about them, how excited would you be about meeting together face-to-face? I'm all for healthy debate on faith issues, but the basis for meaningful conversations with governing authorities, according to the example of Jesus, is prayer and love.

I'm planning to keep praying for and showing respect to my nation's leaders. If you want to laugh at late-night TV spoofs or spread gossip about your national leaders, please reconsider. There are plenty of people already doing that. Be like Christ. Pray for your leaders. Show some respect.

The Obama Speech: What Did You Think?

I just read the Obama speech transcript at CNN.com and am curious what you and your friends are talking about this morning on the issue.

Is it the tax check in the mail (I must admit, I like that one.)? Is it the mortgage help? Is it the part on ending the War in Iraq?

Here is my favorite: "In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child."

The creators of Microsoft's X-box, Nintendo's Wii, and Sony's Playstation 3 won't like the suggestion, but Obama makes a wonderful point. There is no subsitute for an involved parent.

Or, to expand his wording, there is no substitute for an involved person. We're all busy, but I think we could all also admit there is at least one time waster we could stop to make a greater difference in the lives of other people.

Jesus, God in human form, said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:27). He is our ultimate example. This life is not about what we get, but what we give.

So make a difference, like Obama challenged. But let me challenge you to take it one step further: serve following the example of Jesus. He is the One who continues to change lives both today and for eternity.

Seven Years Ago Today

<--Ben eating his first quarter-pound bacon cheeseburger at Five Guys.


Seven years ago today I held my first child, Benjamin, in my arms at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, TX. Today I made sure to give him a big hug before he walked into school. Why? Because in seven more years, he'll almost be able to drive to school himself!

Does your life ever feel like it's flying by? The Bible says our lives are like a vapor, here today, gone tomorrow. What can we do about it?

The Bible answers this question, too. We're told to make the most of every opportunity, to show love, do justice, and live humbly.

In fact, if life is zooming by too quickly for you, remember that life is followed by eternity.

The bigger question is whether you're ready for life after this life. If you're not sure, here's God's solution: believe and receive.

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

And if you've already chosen to follow Jesus, tell someone. Because life will pass by before you know it and there's no better time to prepare for eternity than right now.


P.S. If you're really shy about sharing your faith with someone, just send them the link to this post. Then they can get mad at me instead of you. But at least they'll hear about what it means to know Jesus. And maybe, just maybe, you'll be part of changing someone's eternity today.

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DILLON BURROUGHS is a writer on issues of spirituality.
He lives with his wife, Deborah, and three children in Tennessee.