I saw a shirt that said “Jesus, Texas, Tacos”
Seriously, I love me some tacos. I love my Texas. And I most definitely love me some Jesus.
You’ve seen these, I’m sure. Jesus and coffee. Jesus and Chick-fil-a. Jesus and {insert your favorite thing here}.
I get it. Super catchy. cute and stylish fonts. Comfy tees and easy ways to spread Jesus love to others.
I couldn’t help but feel a little squirm in my spirit. Trust me. I could most definitely be seen wearing any one of these tees. And in this world of cutesy memes and catchy phrases – it’s the fashionable thing to do, right?
Something did not sit right with me though – in that moment.
Jesus, Texas, Tacos?
What is the message here? These are all good? They all make me feel good about myself? I’m proud to be a lover of all 3? They all 3 made my “favorites” list?
Ick. I felt it. It rose up – I was saddened.
In this Christianity pop-culture of cute sayings and catchy phrases have we really placed Jesus in the same category as a cup of coffee, a taco and a fast-food chain?
Jesus Christ? The Son of God. The firstborn over ALL creation. The beginning and ending. The very sacrifice for our sins on the cross. The ransom for our souls and our WAY to be reconciled to God.
REALLY?
How? How can Jesus become a random selection displayed on our favorite things list with coffee, tacos and Chick-fil-a? How can we so carelessly wear a shirt that reads “Team Jesus” or “Jesus is my homeboy”
We’ve taken the AWE away from our Savior.
We’ve reduced the greatness of His Name.
We’ve diminished the sacrifice of the Cross.
Worst of all, we’ve elevated the creation above the Creator.
Jesus is not my homeboy. Jesus is my only way to Salvation and reconciliation with God.
This is not “Team Jesus” This is Jesus only. He stands alone.
This is not “Fueled by Jesus and Coffee” Jesus is my ONLY sustaining strength. The Bread of Life and the Water that quenches my thirst forever.
Has the wonder and awe of His majesty really diminished to a catchy phrase marketed on T-shirt slogan?
Is this the message of the Gospel?
That our Savior, the uncreated Creator who reigns supreme and the sinless sacrifice for all mankind would share His glory with anything or anyone else?
So – with a heavy heart I looked inward. I was torn. I was sorry.
And I realized – it’s not only T-shirts. It’s not only memes and catch phrases.
It’s my heart.
My lack of knowing ALL He is. My simple and small view of a great and powerful God. And ultimately my sin, which leads me to place myself or any created thing in HIS rightful position.
So sip your coffee, eat you some Chic-fi-la and pile up those Texas style Tacos. But…
Keep Jesus elevated above it all.
Colossians 1:15-20
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Its Jesus.
Always has been. Always will be. Only Jesus.
