30 Dec, 2008
Over 400 dress like Jesus
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Dressed in flowing robes and thorny crowns, about 400 churchgoers promised their pastor they'd dress like Jesus as a hard-to-miss reminder of the holiday's religious roots.
Members of Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship began showing up that way last week at jobs, shopping malls and restaurants. The demonstration wrapped up Wednesday.
"I know it's a crazy idea," said pastor Kelly Lohrke, whose 600 members attend services in Kansas City, Kan., and nearby Lee's Summit, Mo. "I know it's a radical idea. Christians can have fun with their faith and sharing their faith."
Lohrke said he came up with the idea out of frustration over the removal of crosses, nativity scenes and other religious symbols from public view.
"It's just absurd," he said, "that Jesus is taken out (of Christmas)."
Lohrke brought up the idea at services on Dec. 14, telling parishioners: "We aren't going to preach." If asked about their attire, he said, participants are free to share their faith.
"We've gotten nothing but positives," said Lohrke, who has dressed like Jesus at a Starbucks, a Target store and a post office.
(Story by Heather Hollingsworth, the Associated Press. Picture by Shawn Johnston. Full story can be found at www.torontosun.com Dec.24, 2008)
Now that's hard to miss!
Ephesians 5:1 [NIV]
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
What does God's Story Scripture teach us about "looking like Jesus"?
Today's story is pretty amazing. Whether you agree with the idea or not, these are obviously some pretty radical followers of Christ. Getting dressed up to actually resemble Jesus on the outside definitely caught the attention of many people in Kansas City.
In the verse in Ephesians today, it is clear that we are to resemble God as Paul calls us to "be imitators of God"...though I am not sure He was referring to dressing as His Jewish Son did over 2,000 years ago.
In fact, the verse goes on to clarify that we are to reflect Him to others through living a "life of love, just as Christ loves us and gave Himself up for us".
How can we connect today's story and God's story to my story?
Though you can be certain that these people that dressed up like Jesus on the outside were noticed...you can be equally confident that living your life like Jesus from the inside will be really hard to miss. Just imagine if we...
- loved like Jesus
- forgave like Jesus
- showed compassion like Jesus
- served like Jesus
- stood for truth like Jesus
- prayed like Jesus
Do you think anyone could possibly miss that!?! Not a chance!
How can we connect today's story, God's story and my story with others' story?
- Think of two lost friends right now...got 'em in mind?
- Now, as God calls you to imitate Him for them...to be Jesus to them...what is it that they need? Do they need His love? Do they need His forgiveness? Do they need His truth?
- Pray and ask God to help you know how to be Jesus to them...not because you have it all together...but because of what Jesus has done for you too.
I'll bet you get "nothing but positives".
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