Jesus is not a mascot, but sometimes I think He is treated like one. A mascot is defined as a an animal, person, or thing adopted by a group as its representative symbol and supposed to bring good luck. For example, the Air Force Academy’s mascot is a falcon, but I am certain they do not consult a falcon about strategy or for guidance. The falcon is just a symbol, but holds no real authority.
As believers in Christ, we must make sure Jesus has not become just a mascot. He is actually the head of the church, the redeemer of our souls and the Lord of our lives. He becomes a mascot when we move away from His authority and make decisions about life, ministry and the church based on our own ideas, our own desires and and our own motives. The end result is an empty life and a lifeless church. We surround ourselves with Jesus stuff like church buildings, bibles, religious hymns and ministry programs, but we stop asking Jesus for real guidance. This happens slowly and over time.
To prevent this in our lives, we must stop and evaluate everything we are doing in the name of Jesus and make sure we are actually doing what Jesus wants. Let’s stop, pray, study the Scripture, and do only the things Jesus actually told us to do. The list is actually short and simple. We are to love God, love others, make disciples, baptize new believers, share communion and meet together to encourage one another. There is room to debate what else should be on the list, but I am certain the final list would not include many of the things we think are really important.
January 20, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Right on Pastor!
I think in this sports driven culture its easy to think of Jesus as the head cheerleader in a big game…it takes away the necessity to have a personal day to day relationship with Jesus!
Jim French
January 21, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I agree 100%! It seems like in sports, politics, music, and just about every other subset in culture likes to give praise to God, yet if we look at the fruit of the majority of these areas we see people who are corrupt and lack sound charachter. I do realize I can fall into the same pit very easily which is why I must stay commited to dying to my flesh each and every day. Praise God for giving us the Holy Spirit to renew us each day!
March 5, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!