You Could be Illegal in 53 Countries
My oldest son has a black t-shirt that (in bold, white lettering) announces the shirt is illegal in fifty-three countries. It further breaks down that number by saying it is restricted in forty of those nations and meets with hostility in another thirteen areas around the world. The reason it is illegal is the fact that it prominently displays a cross on the chest.
I’ve always been taken with that shirt. There’s nothing fancy about it. In fact, it’s rather plain as shirts go. But the garment is striking in the message it carries. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder of the kind of world in which we live.
“I find it a bit disconcerting.”
By all accounts, there are less than two hundred independent countries on planet earth. If the message of this t-shirt is correct (and I strongly suspect it is), over a quarter of the nations of our world are overtly hostile to the Cross of Christ—and presumably to Christians as well. Being one of the later, I find that to be a bit disconcerting. You may want to check closely the next time you do a little globetrotting.
This is just another reason to be thankful for the country in which we live. While things are certainly less than perfect here, freedom is still the watchword we live by. Some of us may get annoyed when we’re not allowed to place a crèche on the courtyard lawn, erect a Christmas tree on a mountain, or say, “Merry Christmas.” Still, we’re a long way from getting thrown in jail for worshiping Jesus.
When the institution we now call the church was first formed, she was a loose aggregate of people desiring to follow in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth. She was often referred to as “The Way” and had no aspiration other than to be (and make) disciples of Christ. Despite (or maybe because of) her simplicity and authentic, up-front way of living, she was like a magnet.
“There’s always going to be a certain amount of animosity.”
People were drawn to her, and many who were not so drawn were reported to have said things like, “See how they love one another!” That’s a pretty good witness from a pagan world. Would that we would hear such things said about us today. Instead, we often hear hatred.
I realize there’s always going to be a certain amount of animosity from the surrounding culture(s). Jesus was quite clear about that. Still, he just as clearly pointed out that we are to earn the right to tell people about him. Grabbing someone by the lapels and saying, “Jesus loves you” doesn’t cut it. We are to live among them, be their friends and co-workers, and earn their trust. When we have equal footing, it’s a lot easier to tell them that the Kingdom of God is near. (Luke 10:1-9) That equal footing comes at a price—the cost of discipleship.
May our unity around the manger of the Christ-child hold fast this season. Who knows? Someone might even notice our love for one another.
[Dave Zuchelli is a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is currently pastor of Smith Chapel in Great Falls, VA.]
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