In light of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on same sex marriage, the question of what defines a marriage becomes more relevant than ever, and no doubt we’ll see a host of talking heads discussing the issue. I’m wondering how it would play out if Jesus was interviewed on the subject, so just for fun and, hopefully, a little clarity, here’s my take on how the interview would go based on what the Lord has already said about life, humanity and marriage.
Interviewer: Now, Jesus – uh, do you prefer being called Lord?
Jesus: You call me master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. (John 13:13)
Interviewer: Or Christ? God? Savior?
Jesus: I am He. (John 18:6)
Interviewer: OK, so your popularity is higher than ever, and people look to You as the final authority. Tell us, then, where do You stand on gay marriage?
Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female. (Mark 1:5)
Interviewer: Surely that’s a throwback to the Old Testament, though. Isn’t the old law of Moses a bit antiquated for today’s discussion?
Jesus: Think not that I came to destroy the law. I came not to destroy it, but to fulfill it. (Matthew 10:34)
Interviewer: Aha! Then doesn’t it say in Leviticus that homosexuals should be put to death? Is that what You’re advocating?
Jesus: Let him that is without sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7)
Interviewer: That would be nobody.
Jesus: It is as you say. (Luke 23:3)
Interviewer: So You’d prefer we stick to the traditional Ozzie and Harriet style family arrangement? How would that play out in 2012?
Jesus: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. What God has joined together, let no man set asunder. (Mark 10:7-9)
Interviewer: That’s it? Stuck for life? What if both the man and the woman are miserable together?
Jesus: I say unto you, if a man put away his wife for any cause other than fornication, he causes her to commit adultery. (Matthew 5:32)
Interviewer: You probably just lost at least half of our listeners.
Jesus: This is a hard saying. Not every man can receive this saying. (Matthew 19:11)
Interviewer: No, and not every person will agree with it, either. In fact, based on what You just said, a lot of people would call for Your resignation.
Jesus: Everyone practicing evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed. (John 3:20)
Interviewer: Well, You’re promoting a pretty rigid definition of family, not to mention morality. I mean we’re all sexual creatures. I can’t help but be turned onto a beautiful woman when she walks by. Surely You don’t have a problem with that?
Jesus: If a man looks upon a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
Interviewer: Now you lost me. I do that almost every day.
Jesus: Son, be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 19:2)
Interviewer: That’s nice, but a lot of gays and lesbians don’t feel very forgiven by You or Your followers. What would You say to those who claim that God doesn’t condemn them for being gay?
Jesus: Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. (John 8:11)
Interviewer: So You’re not against them?
Jesus: God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)
Interviewer: Perhaps, but the world is coming to understand that homosexuality is a natural variation of human sexuality. Most educated people agree on that.
Jesus: Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will wax cold. (Matthew 24:11-12)
Interviewer: But aren’t you condemning something that goes to the very nature of so many people? Whether we’re gay or straight or bi, isn’t that just an indicator of what’s truly inside us?
Jesus: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man. (Matthew 15:11)
Interviewer: So You would call on people to simply deny who they really are rather than simply be themselves and relate in the way that’s most natural to them?
Jesus: If any man come after Me, let Him deny Himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)
Interviewer: Even if that means saying “no” to a person’s most basic desires? Would you really ask that of anyone, even Yourself?
Jesus: Foxes have holes, and the birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. (Matthew 8:20)
Interviewer: I’m sure You realize that even now people are blogging about Your words. You’re going to lose a lot of support because of Your positions.
Jesus: Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. (Luke 6:26)
Interviewer: But what would You say to those who believe in You but also identify themselves as gay, and are in same sex relationships?
Jesus: Why do you call me ‘Lord Lord’ and do not what I say? (Luke 6:46)
Interviewer: A lot of Your followers agree with You, but You’ll notice they’re getting a lot of heat for it. Anything You’d like to pass on to them?
Jesus: Let not your hearts be troubled. If they world hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. (John 14:1; 15:19)
Interviewer: And You’re still accepting new converts?
Jesus: Come unto Me all ye that labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Comments
Jim | Jun 26, 2013
Love it! I anticipate some significant persecution toward Christians who believe the authority, truth and immutability of God's inspired Word.
Virtual TWiT | Jun 26, 2013
Regardless of my opinion on the issue, I find it alarmingly hypocritical that people are screaming about marriage when divorce is rampant. How do we define marriage when we can't maintain one?
Or two.
Or three.
Stephanie | Jun 26, 2013
Thank you much for this!!
arkady967 | Jun 26, 2013
Thank you Mr. Dallas.
Truth And Facts | Jun 26, 2013
Great! Loved it. Thanks so much. Nail on the head.
JW | Jun 26, 2013
Fantastic....so well written sir!
michaelcls | Jun 26, 2013
This is the same guy who told his disciples to abandon their families to follow him. Talk about family values.
Jonnyboy | Jun 26, 2013
Nice cherrypicking from books written decades after the supposed existence of Jesus.
Jonnyboy | Jun 26, 2013
If you did the same thing but changing the topic from "gay marriage" to "evolution", you'd just make Jesus look like a fool.
randallslack | Jun 26, 2013
Excellent!
Whatwhat88 | Jun 26, 2013
You're seriously trying to make a point by jumbling together a bunch of random Bible verses thrown into different contexts? This is ridiculous.
Jean Guillaume de Cairsaigh | Jun 26, 2013
Jesus couldn't have said it better! Oh wait! It's exactly what He said....
elijahworkz | Jun 27, 2013
just to be fair.... This type of interview with Jesus could be done by any side for any issue...
Puddin | Jun 27, 2013
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Dennis | Jun 27, 2013
That was very clever and worth posting on my FB. Thanks Joe!
Judgement is a sin of humans. | Jun 27, 2013
This is the most absurd compilation that I have seen yet. Are you kidding me?! Here is the biggest question I have- how does ANYONE else's love life affect anyone but themselves!?!?!? Who cares- if your beliefs are really the above, then fine- do right by your beliefs- BUT please reread:
(John 8:7) Let him that is without sin cast the first stone.
And always remember with an open heart that does not cast judgment- as you yourself are not one worthy to do so according to your beliefs- that the person sitting next to you on the bus is free to love who they wish, and believe what they believe just as you are- difference is- the people you are judging and fighting are only trying to be free and happy according to what they (harmlessly) believe, they are not trying to MAKE you a certain way as you are.
Sickening that you think you can use your religion to hide behind while acting as cruel judgmental monsters.
Thank GOD I am an educated enough woman to know that HE would not approve of such.
Denise | Jun 27, 2013
Thank you from a mother with a broken heart. I am still reeling from the decision of the Supreme Court. Exceptionally well written.
Sherry Smith | Jun 27, 2013
I love this! In addition to the interviewer's question about believers taking heat for their position I would think Jesus mighty also say, "I think my brother James said it well when he said, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."" James 1: 2-4
LMN | Jun 27, 2013
I agree. To take something out of the context it was in to refer it to another topic does not mean it means the same thing.
knowitstrue | Jun 27, 2013
Unless I'm mistaken, you have a typo here:
Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female. (Mark 1:5)
I think you meant Mark 10:6.
Mitzi | Jun 27, 2013
so I'm so happy to read your post today
I wrote about the same thing on mine and it's the Christian community who says I should be silent.
I will not be bullied by political correctness.
God's Truth is our only hope for freedom--regardless of our sins.
I stand on God's Word to live in reality.
My 'truth' is never good enough.
thanks for this post
I needed it today.
Deric Yoakley | Jun 27, 2013
24 “But woe to you who are rich, lfor you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now, for nyou shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 unless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
corykilgus | Jun 27, 2013
Hey Joe, I wanted to see if I could put this article on my blog, lovedemonstrated, with credits and a link here.? Thanks
Michael Brian Patterson | Jun 27, 2013
I like Paul's idea of marriage. It's better to not do it at all, but if you can't control your lust, you might as well. Marriage, according to Paul, is simply a way to give in to your lust without sinning. Pretty utilitarian, that. I'm sure the women are happy about their position in it as well. There are quite a few different types of marriage in the bible, most of it polygamous. The fact is that no one needs the government's, the church's, or the online peanut gallery's permission to love each other and cleave to one another in a married kind of way. God can do with me what He likes. If someone is lucky enough to find someone to love and cherish, I'm certainly not going to try and take away from that.
Also, Jesus came across as really wooden in this interview. Why would he go around quoting things he said 2,000 years ago when he is alive and working today?
mike | Jun 27, 2013
Did the comments get off track of the Post by design?
Jerry | Jun 28, 2013
Terrific Joe! Keep going!
richholloman | Jun 28, 2013
Thank you Joe! This is a powerful & creative response!
Marc | Jun 28, 2013
My wife and I recently celebrated our 20th anniversary (just for context about me).
What I don't understand about all of the views against same sex marriage is this:
Nobody is asking that churches be REQUIRED to perform these ceremonies. If your church is against it, you have the right not to perform them. What my gay friends are asking for is the LEGAL benefits of marrying their OTL (one true love) and being able to take care of them with insurance, legal issues, hospital/privacy issues and the like.
I have not heard one of my friends demand to be married in "this certain" church, they only want to share the commitment with friends and family and have all the legal rights of anyone else in this country.
Marriage is not a religious pact for many people but it is a way to express your love for your mate and celebrate that love with friends/family while giving legal benefits to your spouse.
I agree that the Christian church should not agree with same sex marriage in their churches but to so vehemently deny those rights to people who don't believe like you do is pretentious.
Just my opinion.
Ken Temple | Jun 28, 2013
Hey Joe - excellent way of answering the typical arguments - using Jesus' own words!
There are a few mistakes on the Scripture references. (smile)
Mark 1:5 should be 10:6
Matthew 19:2 should be Matthew 9:2
Matthew 10:34 should be Matthew 5:17
--------------
Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female. (Mark 1:5)
Interviewer: Surely that’s a throwback to the Old Testament, though. Isn’t the old law of Moses a bit antiquated for today’s discussion?
Jesus: Think not that I came to destroy the law. I came not to destroy it, but to fulfill it. (Matthew 10:34)
John Bugay | Jun 28, 2013
Joe, I've posted a link to this article at http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2013/06/jesuss-teachings-on-marriage-in-light.html.
You have a couple of mis-cited Scriptures here:
Reference to Mark 1:5 should be Mark 10:6, Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female.
Reference to Matthew 10:34 should be Matthew 5:17, Jesus: Think not that I came to destroy the law. I came not to destroy it, but to fulfill it.
Reference to Matthew 19:2 should be Matthew 9:2, Jesus: Son, be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven.
Jessica Meschino | Jun 29, 2013
One thing that I feel is difficult for us Christians is the 'love the sinner, not the sin.' While this is true and what we should do, many gay people are likely to believe that a) homosexuality is not a sin and b) hating the sin is the same as hating them (which for us it is not), and therefore, if we cannot accept them for who they are, loving them and having no problem with their sexual orientation,. they we do not really love them at all. This is so not true (hopefully usually anyway)
Jessica Meschino | Jun 29, 2013
Alright Marc, but at some point this could change. One day the government and courts and stuff could decide that gay people have as much right as straight people to marry, and marry how they want, where they want, and by whom they want (who as in the type of person not the specific person), and should not be disallowed. This could mean that a pastor/ minister/ priest may then be required to marry gay people, which wouldn't be right at all. Just a thought.
Nina | Jul 3, 2013
Great post!! Agree wholeheartedly. This may have already been said in the comments (I wasn't able to read them all) but Mark 1:5 reference above is wrong? I clicked through and it is a different verse entirely. Perhaps it should read Mark 10:6??
Middle Aged | Aug 17, 2013
Well dropping the person who sent me this from my friends. I do not believe Jesus was a bigot and anyone can cut and past Bible verses to make a point. Cheap shot and not even that well done.
David | Aug 28, 2013
Its a good article, but at the same time its what people have been doing for years. Manipulating Bible verses for what they want
Crystalmae | Sep 14, 2013
Joe, thank you so much. I just saw this and I had been afraid that everyone was crumbling. God bless you.
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