Jesus is a Loser
If Jesus played kickball as a kid on the playground I bet he would have been picked last. Not because he was not athletic, but because even though he was fully human he was also fully God. Which makes it safe to say that he was a loser.
In our “dog-eat-dog” American culture characterized by an all-consuming drive to win; we would not want Jesus on our ball team, as a part of political party, or as a warrior in our military. He didn’t win. He was hung up by nails in his hands and feet and killed by the winners in his world.
He lost everything, even his life, in the name of comforting the afflicted and liberating those enslaved in darkness. This is why the Apostle Paul said that when people heard the story about Jesus they would think it was absolute stupidity.
Today, most people still believe it is complete rubbish. Few would admit they believe this, but all one has to do to see what a person really believes is observe his life.
Jesus’ life was characterized by love, compassion, mercy, and grace. He identified with the whores, the irreligious, and those on the margins. One would think Christianity would resemble his life, but sadly it often differs. This is why the name of God and Jesus is often invoked in connection with power and might rather than humility and sacrifice.
There is no shortage of language, from self-professed followers of Jesus, marked by domination, power, and violence. Many seem to think that Jesus “gave it all” so we could “get it all.” And if that doesn’t work then we will “take it all.”
Military leaders speak of “God and country” and in the next breath threaten shock and awe. Christians who wish to see social change think in terms of political power. They smear the name of anyone who differs from their way of thinking, and speak of getting “God’s man in the White House.”
And what about God and sports? I played sports at a Christian college and the belief that “God was on our side” fueled the passion for winning. Some believe that God is on Tim Tebow and the Bronco’s side. Groups who use sports as a way to share their faith in Jesus put Philippians 3.14 on their clothing.
The famous verse says, “I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3.13,14 CEB). Obviously, Paul cared about winning! Well, yes and no.
The verses before these are about suffering and death. Paul is willing to experience this so that he might win the prize, which is resurrection. Paul’s win comes by way of a loss.
This is exactly how the life of a Christian should be measured. We must pursue sacrifice, generosity, love, compassion, and wining by losing. You could say that following Jesus means being a loser. There is no other way around it in the culture that we live in.
If that seems like utter nonsense, well it should. That’s what Paul said people would think when they heard the Jesus story. I mean, who would ever pick a kid like Jesus to play kick ball?