Would Jesus say whatever?

written by Stephan Joubert

Is whatever part of the vocabulary of Jesus? Mmm, I think so. Time and time again he looked at the religious leaders of his day who were so busy obeying strict religious laws and rules that they didn't have any time left to serve others and love them all the way back to God. Then he sighed and said: whatever!

Jesus observed how the religious professionals harshly judged sinners, outcasts and marginalized individuals who didn't obey their laws to the last letter. Then he shook his head in dismay and said: whatever!

Jesus saw how the religious people rigorously obeyed harsh Sabbath laws without caring a hoot for the sick or the poor on that day. Then he shook his head in amazement and said: whatever!

In Jerusalem Jesus observed how people brought sacrifices to the temple to win God's favor. Then he sighed and angrily said: whatever!

Jesus knows that religiosity doesn't bring people one single inch closer to God. Yes, religious activities and rituals make them more religious. No doubt about that! It turns them into self-appointed saints. It sets them apart from those unholy crowds. It creates saints versus sinners. That's why Jesus said: whatever! and turned his attention to sinners and outcasts.

Religious people don't like to mix with the non-religious types. Their attitude is: "If only those people could change and become nice, religious people like us, we would gladly accept them into our midst." Jesus weeps at this type of organized religion and says: whatever! Fortunately he does more than this. He invites people like you and me to join him in his undiluted love for sinners, unholy people, slumdogs, failures, poor people, outcasts... you name them. He will love them all the way back to life.