Jesus Is Treated Badly At Our Congregation

Jesus is treated badly at our congregation. It sounds awful to say it, I know. And it may be hard to believe but its true. By many here, Jesus is just not treated very well at all.

It began when he first started coming to church with us. Oh, at first most people dutifully introduced themselves and told him that they were happy he was going to be a part of our congregation. Most of us put forth no more effort than this to make him feel comfortable. You see, there are some who don't take too well to outsiders: members who have been here for a long time are somehow more appreciated. And there are some that think he's a little strange: maybe he has some kind of mental problem. And there are other people who hold back for other reasons. For my part, he just wasn't the right color: I think he'd be happier with his own kind.

And so, when Jesus comes in the door of the building only a handful speak to him. He seems uncomfortable, probably shy, but we don't really attempt to make him feel at home. Some think he might be unfriendly and they don't want to speak to anyone who doesn't come speak to them first.

Someone let him lead singing once (I don't know why) several months ago. Very few told him that they appreciated it--the song or the effort to lead it. The fact is he can't carry a tune in a bucket and most of us wouldn't want him always ruining our singing. I think he caught a few exasperated looks and finally quit asking to lead.

Last month someone let Jesus preach a sermon--or, at least, attempt to. He was real nervous, but, let me tell you, it was a trial for all of us. That he's not a polished speaker is an understatement. I hope no one told him he did a good job: it's not true and it might encourage him to try again sometime. He'd be better off giving up.

There were two weeks about three months ago that he wasn't at services. They announced that he was pretty sick. I believe that he was in the hospital, even. I don't think anyone went to visit him. I'd hate to go there and catch something myself. Besides we all have our lives to lead. I can't take time off from work for just anything.

During that time--when Jesus was sick--he lost his job for a short while. Then there were a couple of people who were concerned that he might need some financial help. Several of us announced loudly that we believed in taking care of our own. He should have planned better.

Then there are his spiritual problems. I--and several with me--feel like he shouldn't be so weak. Sure, he makes the necessary confessions, but the frequency taxes our ability to forgive. He's probably not trying hard enough. I suppose someone could be encouraging him more, maybe having him visit with them more. I'm sure he'd benefit from the better company . . . but don't look in this direction.

Once, awhile back, Jesus got the notion that something we were doing was wrong according to his reading of the Bible. This really got some of us upset. How does he get off suggesting that we might be wrong? We weren't about to change our practices just to help him keep his conscience clean. To avoid trouble he should have kept his mouth shut or gone somewhere else. Later on he changed his mind and we had some measure of peace again. But we never forgot it, and we never will.

It's just a case of not fitting in. To some he's too old: he just doesn't figure in their ambitious plans. To some he's too young: another impatient youth that doesn't appreciate that things are best the way they are. To a few he's too uneducated: no way to get an interesting conversation out of him. To a few he's too scrawny: not fit for their Friday night ball games. And he's a little strange and too weak and he's not the right color.

The fact is--among several members--Jesus just isn't welcome here at all. He ought to go somewhere else.

How bad can it be to ignore one--just one--member? We treat most everybody else real well . . .

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [my brethren], ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:41-45)

Sometimes the easiest principles to understand are the hardest to apply. Does it really sink in to us that Jesus takes personally our treatment of other Christians? Is it clear to us that, based upon what we do or fail to do for a fellow disciple, Jesus may feel abused or neglected by us? And that goes for every Christian--including that one that we (for whatever reason) might consider the least important.

Take out your church directory and consider each name written there. Is there one member to whom you do not speak? It is Jesus that you are ignoring. Is there one member whose just needs you are unwilling to fill? It is Jesus that you are neglecting. Is there a member about whom you gossip? It is Jesus that you are maligning. In short, is there one member to whom you do not express full Christian love? It is Jesus you are despising.

If we hope to be with God when our lives are over, we should never forget the dire warning of our Lord: "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."