Jesus, Why you trippin'?

Luke 9:23-25

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. ²⁵What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Dear Jesus,

What up?  It’s your boy YFD (a.k.a “your favorite disciple”).  First of all, I’m not trying to be a hater, but you’ve been kind of bugging lately.  When I first started chilling with the disciples in the crew, it was all good.  We had people wanting to be down with us, wanting to watch the miracles and stuff (what you did with those loaves of bread was ill, by the way!)  But now, it’s different.  Once you started talking that crazy revolution talk, people have been trippin’.  They won’t let us stay in their cribs anymore and they think we’re a cult or something.  They think our leader’s crazy because you’ve been talking about how we need to take up our cross and endure suffering in order to show God’s love for the world.  Not just that, you’ve been talking to women and Samaritans in broad daylight and talking about how the poor and oppressed are equal in God’s eyes.  Are you smoking something?  You’re gonna get us killed.  Then when I ask you about it, you say, “yep, betrayal and suffering is all a part of it”.  Do you have a death wish or something?  That’s great for you, but not me.  I aint no martyr, you can believe that.  I don't even like to stub my toe let alone have someone pound nails into my hands.  (No thanks, I'll pass!).  It’s not that I’m totally against your mission, I’m not.  It’s just that you’re always so radical with it, and it gets really hard for the rest of us.  Do you know what we have gone through to follow you?  We’ve given up everything:  families, careers, homes, just to follow you.  Everyone else says that we are crazy and I’m starting to believe them. 

I think I am going to have to abort the mission and go back home for a while and chill.  It’s not that I don’t appreciate what you’ve done for me.  But, I think I need to make a little more money and find a little more security in my life.  I hope you understand.  It’s not that I don’t love being with you and the disciples (it’s been a blast!).  It's just that following you is getting a little intense for me.  If you ever start to preach a little bit more of a moderate message, please give me a call.  I would be happy to follow you if I could do it and not have to experience suffering because of it.  And just so you know, I think a lot of other people would too.  Being less extreme and controversial could really help your popularity.  You might want to think about that approach (and call me when you do).

Anyway, I will definitely think about you from time to time and keep you in my prayers.  I wish you the best of luck, however.  Thanks for the great memories!

Sincerely,

YFD (Your Favorite Disciple)

“Jesus, Justice, Jazz:  The Tour” will be coming to 15 cities across the country.  At many of the events there will be service, justice learning opportunities, and a concert by Lost And Found, Rachel Kurtz, and AGAPE*.   Proceeds go to ELCA World Hunger.  For more info, go to www.j3tour.com