Moving away from outrage and toward the way of Jesus.

There has been lots of controversy over the last week about that ‘dramatic tableau’ of what seemed to be a mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris. I understand the reaction. I was saddened by the spoilt opportunity, in our very divided world, to celebrate what unites us across nations. And I am wearied by the many intolerant attacks on the Christian faith. So I do understand the response of people like the influential Catholic leader, Bishop Robert Barron for whom I have a lot of respect. And of Gavin Calver, leader of the Evangelical Alliance.

I was also not convinced by the attempt at an apology which Robert Barron rightly and firmly critiqued. Nor am I convinced that it was actually based on the Feast of Dionysus rather than Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper, as they tried to claim. It is the nature of art to be multi-referential. That there was not at least some intended reference to the Da Vinci painting seems very doubtful. But some Christians have just accepted this unconvincing explanation. Even more unconvincing was the attempt to claim it was all about diversity and inclusion, words worn very thin by overuse anyway. It was exactly the opposite. It mocked something very sacred to millions of people.

I do, therefore, think that there was some deliberate mockery (though I could be wrong). What surprised and worried me, though, among all the reaction and outrage from some Christians there has been little reference to how the Bible explicitly teaches us to respond to mockery and insult, including in the words of Jesus himself. Scripture teaches us unequivocally how to respond to our enemies, if that is what they are. And to persecution, if that is what it is (we should use that word carefully about such things so that we do not develop a persecution complex and because of the intense persecution even unto death that our brothers and sisters across the world are suffering.)

Surely we should be considering passages like:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21)

Yes, we could discuss how we live out such passages in society today in view of freedom of religious expression in a multicultural society, of free speech and hate speech, of blasphemy laws etc. But the point I am making is that there seemed to be little reference to such explicit biblical teaching amongst all the reaction. Too many of us seem to get drawn into the social media-driven outrage. We then end up getting ensnared in the skirmishes of culture wars instead of going back to what our faith actually teaches us about how to respond to insult and mockery.

As one of the more thoughtful responses pointed out, the very Lord we follow was himself mocked and insulted, and then beaten and crucified. And his response? ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34). Consider the very event being mocked. Every time we take the bread and the wine, we remember this Last Supper and recall that Jesus said of the wine: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). The ‘many’ here includes those who mock because ‘while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). The very event we remember teaches us that forgiveness, mercy and grace must be our default.

As I was trying to collect my thoughts about all this, I was very pleased to read an article shared by a friend on Facebook. The writer makes similar points to those here very convincingly, and rightly argues that outrage and protest must not be out default position as Christians. When you hear about the director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, receiving death threats, then you realise where this outrage can lead. Instead, the article suggests:

…we really need to wrestle with what it means to respond to insult, mockery, and persecution, with grace, blessing, and love.  Not only in response to the mockery of the Olympic opening ceremony (whether intended or not), but in response to whatever is thrown at us in our daily lives. (Steve Parsons)

Among the outrage, there was often predictable and perhaps understandable reference to ‘they wouldn’t dare try this on Islam’. Apart from the danger of caricature of all Muslims in such a comment (not all would respond militantly), the point of the way of Jesus is that it is a different way. We are called to be part of a different kingdom where we follow a better way, the way of Jesus, the way of the cross, the way of blessing and not cursing, of forgiving and not reacting.

We should move on from the insult, then, and not give it any more airtime (I have deliberately not used the notorious picture here). And focus instead on the many, many expressions of faith that have punctuated these games – from British swimmers to Brazilian surfers, to French worshippers. And many more. [This article in The Guardian is the kind of focus I mean].

I always try to recommend that we focus on being seed sowers rather than weed pullers. If there is a reaction against our faith then it might well be because there is a renewed interest in the Christian faith (see the article here and watch out for a book review on that coming shortly). Something is shifting. There is a gradual awakening going on. So let’s not get dragged into the culture wars at such a moment. Let’s respond to those who oppose us with grace. Let’s focus on sowing seeds of the gospel in our testimonies and stories, our hospitality and outreach. And most of all in our lives, including in how we respond to those who insult us.

[There are other interesting responses to the controversy here and here].