How offensive

September 9, 2018

To get things going, I want to start out with a quick little get-your-imagination-going exercise. Now unless you are operating any sort of heavy machinery, I want you to just close your eyes wherever you may be, take a deep breath, clear your mind, and picture Jesus. Alright, do you have an image in your head? Great. You can open your eyes.

Now I just have a few follow up questions for you and I want you to keep count of how many questions you answer yes to. 

In your imagined picture of Jesus...

• Did he have a full beard?

• Was he wearing a white robe?

• Did he have a calm, serene look on his face?

• Was he surrounded by children and/or cute farm animals (i.e. lambs, puppies, or kittens)?

• Were his arms outstretched or in some kind of a welcoming posture?

• Was he performing a miracle or doing some kind of charitable activity?

My guess is that you said yes to at least three of those things. What I find so interesting is that even though we all have unique beliefs around and understandings of Jesus, our image of him is quite similar. It doesn't matter how many world famous artists have reimagined and reinterpreted our Savior because when it comes down to it, most of us have gotten our picture of Jesus from the exact same place: the cover of a children's Bible. And it doesn't matter what version you have or edition you're using, Jesus always looks the same: calm, happy, and inviting.

Yet, Scripture paints a different picture. In fact, the Gospels are full of stories where Jesus is sarcastic, reclusive, and even grumpy. Today's passage from Mark 7 is a perfect example.

Mark 7:24-37

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.