Sunday afternoon coming back from coverage at Paris Mountain Vineyards, I came across yet another church sign with an interesting bit of either social commentary, a critique of faith, or a serious question.
“What Have You Done With Jesus” was all the sign said. No question mark, or punctuation of any kind.
I come across a number of these kinds of signs on a regular basis, am familiar with the usual “Come All Ye Faithful” and “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” messages on signs all over the southeast in front of churches. Some have a better sense of humor than others.
Signage in front of businesses get the opportunity for more double entendre opportunities – again, depending on the sense of humor of the owner – but churches have to be clever about their signage message, since it is usually also meant to convey a particular thought about a moment in a sinner’s life passing it by. Ultimately as an invitation to come in and save thyself from eternal hellfire of damnation.
When I see something like the above, it gets me to thinking about the intent of the person putting it up. It also has me wondering possible scenarios for why the question mark might be missing, from petty theft by teen hoodlums to heavy winds carrying away the punction off the sign on a singularly stormy day.
It still bugged me, the English major in me, to delve deeper into the meaning of their query. “What Have You Done With Jesus.”
In a literal sense, they are asking “have you hidden Jesus from me?” which I think we can all answer no. There’s no one hiding Jesus anywhere but from in your heart and accepting him into your soul (if that is what you want to believe.)
I’m pinning my hopes on interpretation #2 is likely the correct way to look at it, which is putting and emphasis on YOU and JESUS. So it should read like: “What have YOU done with JESUS.” The preacher in me wants to shout amen and and hallelujah. The idea being that faith takes work, and more than a demonstration of prayer and piety. It takes giving back, and spreading the gospel. One has to be devoted to their faith and let it take root not just in their thoughts, but in their deeds.
The third route one could go with that is cultural, one that many people could find… “offensive” so to say. The emphasis on the entire phrase being more like someone complaining that JESUS in their day meant a certain traditional view of savior and washer away of sin because of sacrifice. Not just a doctrinal question either, but one of the practice of Christianity rooted in early to mid-20th century practices. A structured service with hymns sung by choir groups and the congregation either separate or together, members reading bible verses on a rotating basis, the offering plate or basket being handed around and checks and twenties going within, and a sermon that matched the belief system of those in the congregation (who by the way have no problem reminding the pastor they pay his salary kind of group.)
What have you done with Jesus in that context is more of a statement about where America sits today – a crossroads of course, always at a crossroads – of even what it means to be American, much less what it means to be Christian. Or Hindi, Muslim, Jewish, Agnostic… rich, poor… name a category. We are all looking for new definition as we go along into the new pages of history written on a daily basis.
I usually judge signage like this based on what the church is trying to say in their campaign to wash away the sins of humanity, whether it be old testament brimstone or new age catchphrases, usually for me to even think about one of these signs past the few moments I’ve driven past is an accomplishment in itself.
Making me write about one? That alone should make anyone take pause.
Thanks, Union Grove Baptist for the inspiration.
Leave a Reply