Dear MAGA Christian,
I have a problem that maybe you can help me with.
I keep hearing you tell me that I need Jesus; that he is my only hope, that he is the one who saves, that the best life available here is lived by knowing him.
Many of you have spoken to me with great affection about that moment you found this Jesus, and the joy that came into your heart—and it all sounds quite beautiful.
My problem, is that I’ve read the words of this Jesus and they are fully compelling and they speak deeply into my heart, but when I turn away from them and look at you—I can’t see him anymore.
I can’t see the “Do to others as you would have them do to you” Jesus, as I watch you bullying the LGBTQ community as they live and work and worship.
I can’t see the “Blessed are the peacemakers” Jesus, in the angry war rhetoric of your preachers toward the Muslim-Americans living alongside you.
I can’t see the “Love your neighbor as yourself” Jesus, as you strain to hoard freedom and privilege and rights from those who worship or love or believe differently than you.
I can’t see the “You cannot serve both God and money” Jesus, in the way you accumulate wealth and chase opulence and strive for power.
I can’t see the “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus, as you turn away from those seeking refuge from brutality here on these shores.
I can’t see the “Why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?” Jesus, in your terrified sermons that suggest you are always under siege, always needing defense.
I can’t see the “For God so loved the world” Jesus, in your rabid Nationalism and flag-waving America First fervor and contempt for foreigners.
I can’t see the “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone” Jesus, as you expend so much energy to hurl condemnation and generate vitriol toward so much of the world.
I can’t see the “Turn the other cheek” Jesus, in your grudges and your resentments, and in your desire to make others pay for their supposed offenses to God or to you.
I can’t see the “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” Jesus, as you battle over doctrine and denomination, and war with other Christians.
I can’t see the “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” Jesus, as you continually wield an inventory of the transgressions of others, that you claim merit their damnation and warrant their exclusion.
I can’t see the feeding of the multitudes Jesus, as you neglect the hungry in your own neighborhoods while you live with overflow.
I can’t see the healing of the sick Jesus, in your silence as the sickest and poorest are being stripped of care.
I can’t see the washing the feet Jesus in you refusal to bend to serve those around you who are hurting and suffering and grieving.
I can’t see the “Let your light shine before all men.” Jesus in your gatherings and in your lives and in the way you treat me.
And if I can’t see this Jesus clearly through those who claim to know him, who profess to be of him, I will have to assume that this Jesus is imaginary.
I will be left to conclude that this search is fruitless and to give it up entirely.
I am looking at you, MAGA Christian—and I am trying to see Jesus.
Show him to me.
