Modern Jesus

I like music. A lot. I listen to music when I work, when I drive, when I'm reading a magazine.... and I like music of all genres. Every once in a while, though, I run into a problem like the one I had today. I was driving to work mindlessly flipping through stations for something spunky for the ride. A song came on the alternative/indie station so I stopped for a listen. Then my ears perked to the lyrics.

Come on in 

Take a seat next to me 

You know we got 

We got what you need 

We may be liars 

Preachin' to choirs 

But we can 

We can sell your dreams 

You don't need sympathy 

They got a pill for everything 

Just take that dark cloud 

Ring it out to wash it now 

CHORUS

Don't pray for us 

We don't need no modern Jesus 

To roll with us 

The only road we need is never givin' up 

The only faith we have is faith in us 

We're the ones who start little fires 

Yet they burn out 

But when they're on the rise 

It can't help but shine 

And when the wave approaches 

Take our ashes to the ocean 

Who cares if hell awaits 

We're having drinks at Heaven's gates 

CHORUS 

We know that we're helpless 

At least we always assume 

But we don't need to prove nothin' to you 

Let's keep it cool 

You don't need to feel blue 

Cause we wont sell you nothin' 

You can't use 

CHORUS

Fwww.funnyjunk.com

I fought the urge to change the station only because I wanted to hear the full message of the song. At the close of the last note, I shook my head and switched to another station. "I live for the applause, applause, applause.... I live for the way that you cheer and scream for me, for the applause, applause, applause." Again, I shook my head, but this time I hit the power button instead of another preset station. I sat in the silence for a moment processing what I had just heard and began to pray. This is the music of my generation (and, unfortunately, the generation succeeding mine). Media and government leaders promote self-reliance, self-promotion, and, well, just simply self. You can be what you want, do what you want, and you don't have to answer to anyone. Wrong.

It pains me to hear songs like this, to know that this is what our kids are exposed to. At the risk of sounding like that little old lady you'd roll your eyes and scoff at, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed within our Christian homes. We can't wait until our children are older and leave their salvation in the hands of the Sunday school teachers. Even if your children are older, start now. In our home, we have a small corkboard that I use only to hang a piece of paper with one scripture written on every week. It's hung on a wall in our living room where we'll pass by every day and read it. When it's posted, we talk about what it means and how to apply it to our lives, and I encourage our son to commit it to memory. (Psalm 119:11) I failed to teach him scripture and songs as a toddler, something I've made every effort to rectify and prevent with his little sister. Now I encourage him to learn them as an example to her, so that he can help teach her as she grows older. (Proverbs 22:6)

Today I want you to think about three things.

1. How do you view Jesus? Is He your friend? Is He your Father? Or is He just the guy that is waiting around the corner for you to screw up?
2. How does your life portray Jesus to others?
3. Are you teaching the children in your life about Jesus? If so, post your tips and ideas below for others to consider.

If you don't have a personal relationship with the true "modern" Jesus, feel free to contact me or post your comments and/or questions below. I'd love to chat with you about Him.