Beware "Iffy" Questions

And behold, I am with you always…
Matthew 28.20

“What would Jesus do? A very popular theme among youth groups in the 90s. Back in the 1890s it was the subtitle of a book entitled “In His Steps” written by a pastor named Charles Sheldon. It isn’t a bad question, I suppose, but I must admit that I have some problems with it.

The characters in Sheldon’s book repeatedly ask themselves “What would Jesus do if he were me, in my circumstances, facing my decision?” The intent was for Christians in the fictional city of Raymond who were serious about their walk as disciples of Jesus, to try and walk their walk as Jesus might if he was there. But, the question was asked and answered, if you will, rather speculatively, there was a big “if” that opened the door for opinion and supposition. And, even more, when we ask “What would Jesus do?” and interject that “if he were here” we imply that we don’t in fact believe that he is here.

I don’t know about you, but my greatest comfort in life, next to the very assurance of salvation in Christ, is knowing that every single moment of my life, Jesus is present with me. There is never a question of “What if he were here?” he is! Either the Lord meant what he said when he told his disciples that he was always going to be with them, even though it looked as if he was leaving them and returning to heaven, or he just said it to ease their anxiety at his parting. Well, of course, he meant what he said. If Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, isn’t always with us, then there is a lot of the New Testament that is false. And I flatly reject any such notion.

Jesus is here, he knows and is with us in our every circumstance, and so I would argue that we should, at the very least, address him directly, as in, “Jesus, what do we do?” Disciples are not called or expected to go it alone. In Matthew 11.28-30 the wearisome and heavy burdens Jesus promises to take from us certainly include choices and decisions that confront us, especially those weighted with no little moral and spiritual significance. And, of course, the Lord also promises to make us his yokefellows, which is to say that we walk together with him day by day, even moment by moment.

Now, there isn’t now, nor has ever been, a disciple who has not “slipped the yoke” and acted independently of the Lord. I must confess, though I know better, that I am a repeat offender in this. Of course, the usual result when disciples act as “Lone Rangers” is that we get ourselves in trouble, only to then call upon the Lord to help us. I fear that, if we allow a “What would Jesus do if…” way of thinking to take root in our minds, we will find that Satan will not hesitate to exploit that “if” at every opportunity.

Please do not misunderstand me. I do not mean to slander the work of Sheldon. But I believe thoughtful Christians would do well to appreciate Sheldon’s intention and effort, and then move beyond it to another level of understanding, and, I believe, active intimacy with the Lord, who is indeed with us.