What We Can Learn From “Touchdown Jesus’” Demise
06/15/2010 2:37 pm
So I am quite certain that by now almost all of you have heard of the shocking loss of the statue of Jesus on Interstate 75. This is quite a loss for everyone wanting to make a joke in Cincinnati because now we have one less thing to poke fun at. However, there are a lot of simple truths that “Touchdown Jesus” will teach us and even in death can teach us still. Let’s take a look at some now.
The first I would like to share is this. DO NOT make the name of Jesus Christ laughable! Essentially, this statue merely served as a reminder to non-Christians all over the Cincinnati area that Jesus is a scary lake dwelling monster and might potentially make his way into Cincinnati to destroy buildings and such. I have yet, in the 6 years of its life, heard anyone speak of it in a serious, no joking manner. As Christians, we are called to spread the Gospel, not make it a laughingstock.
The second thing I would like to point out is that as Christians, we should not spend $700,000 on a ginormous styrofoam statue, even if it is of Jesus. “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” And I suppose there is something to be said that their heart is on Christ. However, I do not believe that Jesus would have been ok with wasting $700,000 on a giant, ugly statue. I am all for spending money to glorify the Lord, and to honor Him, and to show others the wonderful love of Jesus our savior. However, this statue was not the way to do it. I mean, what are people seeing this supposed to think. It had NO message whatsoever. I mean what screams “repent” or “forgiveness” or “love” like a 6 story statue of Jesus with his arms raised like he is airing himself out.
Now please do not think I am saying that I do not want to honor Jesus. On the contrary, I want to honor Jesus and God in all that I do. However, I think that all this statue is accomplishing is taking glory away from God and putting it on man. If I can rock the KJV for a second, Ex 20:4a “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” Not saying that this was an idol, but it sure had a following.