What if Jesus wasn't born 2000 years ago, but rather God decided to send His son today?
Where would He be born? Would He still choose a humble birth, or rather one more middle class? Would His father be a carpenter, or rather a web designer? And how about His mother? Is there any woman today worthy to be the mother of our Savior?
How about when Jesus reaches adulthood? Would He choose the same venues for His public ministry? Perhaps He would take to the Internet and create His own Web site. Would He use Facebook to gather and record his followers? Would I be brave enough to friend him, or better yet, would He friend me?
Or maybe He would speak to the crowds in Grand Central Terminal as they boarded and exited the trains. Perhaps He would preach His sermon in Central Park to crowds of park dwellers and their families. Maybe He'd be the lead singer in a band and have sold out concerts in an attempt to reach followers through music. Would they be going just for the music, or to listen to His message?
But more importantly, would He be accepted? When the authorities mock Him and arrest Him as some crazy lunatic, how many of us would support Him and demand His release?
Thank goodness, we know He already came and saved the world. Knowing that, it is up to us, those who choose to accept Him, to keep Him alive in today's world. After all, isn't that what we are all called to do? Jesus is present anywhere we want Him to be. So while we wait for Him to come again in all His glory, we can help move things along. All it takes is a willing heart and some creativity to bring Him and His message to others. Soon, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.
This idea as a whole is hypothetical, strange and even funny. But it's interesting to consider this question:
How would you react to Jesus if He first came today and not over 2000 years ago? Would you accept and follow Him, or would you be too blocked by your fear and doubt? How do you think the 21st Century world would respond to Jesus if He came today?
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Comments (23)
Well, if Jesus was born in modern times then there would be no Christianity.. everyone would probably be Muslim or some other religion. There are too many variables to consider to answer this question well.
However I think he would be black and star in his own reality tv show.
I made this simple by listing your questions, haha.
1. Where would He be born? No idea. Is there a reason he was born where he was?
2. Would he still choose a humble birth or middle class? You can choose to whom you are born?
3. Would his father be a carpenter or a webdesigner (etc.)? Since his father worked with his hands in a productive occupation, I think he'd try to be just as productive now. I don't know if he worked to supply society or to meet the needs of his family, though.
4. Is there any woman today worthy to be the mother of our savior? I'm not spiritual so no comment on the "savior" part, but plenty of women are smart and competent enough to raise a child and try to ensure the best for it.
5. Would he choose the same venues for his public ministry? Well, he did like expanding his "business" so I think he'd use the internet and advertising to his benefit. Smart guy.
6. Would he use Facebook to gather and record his followers? Probably. It's a good tool to keep track of volume and give advice.
7. Would he be accepted? Depends which part. His benevolence, yes. His advice, mostly. His religion, possibly. His fashion, probably not except by hippies, haha.
8. Would authorities mock and arrest him? Not unless he violates the rights of others, which I highly doubt.
9. Would we support him and demand his release? If he was innocent.
10. How would you react to Jesus if he first came today? Show respect, debate some subjects with him, hang out, have fun, show him around the world.
11. Would you accept and follow him? No. I think religions are the "governments" of spirituality: institutions controlled by men who manipulate the spiritual curiosity of others and enforce obedience through fear. I'd rather think for myself. I also find no evidence or need for it.
He would likely be recieved in much the same way as He was 2000 years ago. Those whom the Father draws to Him would repent and recieve Him, the rest would continue to hate Him and eventually use the most brutal means they could think of to kill Him.
I think I would be very cynical and extremely hesitant to follow and accept Him. Then again, sort of along the lines of what Pcgecko85@xanga said, Christianity wouldn't have existed yet, and therefore much of the factors in our culture which influence how we respond to/scrutinize religion and religious leaders would be very different.
But I'm pretty sure I'd bump into Him at a bar buy Him a shot. Maybe He'd even turn water into Jameson.
This scenario reminds me of the book Maggie's Story by Dandi Daley Mackall. It's the story of Jesus from a 21st century perspective. While there are some details that don't make sense in light of context, it's still a thought-provoking read.
Hypothetically, I think it's impossible for Jesus to be born at our time. Imagining what things were like way back then, I'd think our world would be in the dumps or destroyed by this time. I think Jesus died at the greatest time, although bringing up some controversy before and after his death. The reason is because Jesus already dying and that's us believing in him. I think if he were to die for us now, first of all, we wouldn't be here. I don't think we'd be America. I don't think there would be any hope in the world. I wish I could go more in debth but I think I just lost all train of thoughts.
Well, first we wouldn't have the new testament so Jesus' message would be new. I would love to know Him personally as a friend. Sometimes I get kind of tired with all my stuff and the routine I have. I'd love to leave everything and be free and follow him. I know He would supply all my needs and heal all my ailments and take care of me. He would tell me the truth about myself and I'm so hungry for the truth.
the world would be the same way if God willed it. humans almost always take the same course of action. however there is something to say over all the years of wisdom that christians have accumulated. so i don't know.
I'll ask Him these questions when I meet Him!
good thoughts. irritating point for me - Mary wasn't worthy and no there wouldn't be a woman worthy. That's impossible. :) There wasn't anything special about Mary except what God in His goodness and grace allowed to happen to her. I know, I know... that wasn't the point... :)
We can play this game for every historical figure...............it's the trick used in movies and tv shows when dealing with 'time travel'. Change one thing and everything else is necessarily affected (recall "It's A Wonderful Life", for example). More important is how the 21st century people view Jesus; practically the same way as 1st century. Son of God --- or ---- fake? Some follow, some 'crucify' (maybe verbally, not physically).
Mary and Joseph were was "middle class" for their time, there was no room in the Inn, but they had money for the Inn, there really was not much of a "middle class" in pre-modern times, they lived "pay check to pay check" but that would have been totaly normal,
I think Jesus would be born in a poor section of america, at the time Jesus was born Israel was part of the Roman Empire, the super power of the day, today america is the military and economic superpower
" would He be accepted? When the authorities mock Him and arrest Him as some crazy lunatic, how many of us would support Him and demand His release?"
some people would accept Him some would not, the authorities would mock Him, He has been mocked by one group or another for 2000 years, He would be killed, the people would cry for His death just as they did 2,000 years ago when the mob demanded that a terrorist be spared and that Jesus die
This is a great entry. We will know the answers to these questions when he truly returns to the world. But many of us may not even be alive lol.
Maybe in this century...maybe later. But he will...but I honestly don't think he would even USE THE INTERNET (especially not facebook!) to get his followers together. Everyone will just know and the world will respond the way it's supposed to when Jesus returns. It's Jesus people Jesus!!
And he sure as hell ain't gonna look like the picture you have up there!
first i'd just like to say that my immediate reaction to this post is that "my jesus" song by todd agnew. i cannot think of a more accurate response than this.
secondly, i'm a bit offended that you choose to attack women, whether you see it that way or not, in this post about how the runaway church would hypothetically treat jesus. "would his father be a carpenter, or rather a web designer? and how about his mother? is there any woman today worthy to be the mother of our savior?" you wonder about his dad's career..and his mother's worthiness or lack thereof?! thanks so much. let's remember the interesting point that mary herself would have been regarded as an immoral/runaround/slutty young woman--a societal impression that she was able to rise above. why are we still entombed in the same arguments about women's "purity"?!I think people would quote his every word on their blogs, and add as much Google AdSense as they could to cash in... but I've been called cynical.
@Ex_Adyto_Cordis@xanga - sorry but I found your list far too good to not reuse
1. Where would He be born?Most likely in Bethlehem
2. Would he still choose a humble birth or middle class?As a carpenter, I'm sure Joseph was far from poor, and the birth was a matter of circumstance as they had no room in the inn, etc. So, whatever a carpenter would make now (which, if he joined the union, would probably be fairly good money) would at the very least put him in the middle class. If he owned his own shop or was the president of the union (you see where I'm going with this) he would probably be at least upper middle class or lower upper class.
3. Would his father be a carpenter or a webdesigner (etc.)?There's some symbolism with the trade of carpentry. I've often wondered if Joseph built the cross that Jesus was hung on. It only seems an ironic twist that someone could have built in.
4. Is there any woman today worthy to be the mother of our savior?Yes. In the days the bible was written, the word virgin had implicitly different meanings, more akin to "young maiden" than to "untouched" - besides, what young man like Joseph wouldn't have consummated the relationship on the wedding night? They were married when the angel came to Mary (IIRC) so what makes anyone think she was still a virgin? If anything, the term virgin was more a label of the purity of her spirit.
5. Would he choose the same venues for his public ministry?I don't see why he wouldn't use the tools of today to his advantage. Did he not travel? I'm assuming he did that just so people in other villages wouldn't think the guy coming back from the wedding was telling stories out of school, so to speak.
6. Would he use Facebook to gather and record his followers?Not only that but to keep overhead low he'd use free wi-fi hotspots and free internet cafes.
7. Would he be accepted?I don't see why not. He seems like a nice enough fellow.
8. Would authorities mock and arrest him?Only if he did something to break the law.
9. Would we support him and demand his release?The rate of criminals being released because of public outcry is so low it's immeasurable, so although there will be people to do that, most likely no attention will be paid to the protesters.
10. How would you react to Jesus if he first came today?I'd probably befriend him because he would most likely be easy to talk to and probably have interesting conversations. Plus, I hear, he wasn't all that boring to hang around with.
11. Would you accept and follow him?I'd probably not accept him as a God (at first anyways... if the miracles start happening, then who knows!) but I'd definitely follow him and keep him company, if I didn't have other obligations.
@Pcgecko85@xanga - Hmm, may I ask, why Muslim? I'm quite interested.
@AdrianRamirez@xanga - Haha no prob, I hoped someone would!
Most of these questions can be answered straight out of Old Testament prophecies. (Thanks to Ex_Adyto_Cordis for the copy/paste.) I realize that this is supposed to be just a silly imagination exercise, so please excuse me for the serious answers to follow.
1. Where would He be born?
Bethlehem, according to Micah 5:2
2. Would he still choose a humble birth or middle class?
Modest, according to Isaiah 7:15 he would eat "butter and honey" which was the peasant diet of the time.
3. Would his father be a carpenter or a webdesigner (etc.)?
No prophecies here, so we can be creative. My guess is he would still be a carpenter because a web designer generally earns more and that clashes with the "peasant's diet."
4. Is there any woman today worthy to be the mother of our savior?
I believe it's a nonsensical question, but I want to be careful of treading on the beliefs of my Catholic brethren here.
Isaiah 7:14 said Jesus would be born of a virgin. No woman can be "worthy" of giving birth as a virgin (Joseph knew that, which is why he was going to divorce Mary).
We also know from whose lineage Jesus would have to come:
Abraham: (according to) Genesis 12:3
Isaac: (according to) Genesis 17:9, Genesis 21:12
Jacob: Genesis 28:14, Numbers 24:17-19
King David: (according to) 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Psalms 89:3-4, Psalms 89:3-4, Psalms 132:11, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 11:1-5, Jeremiah 23:5
(If I'm missing any, please make a note.)
According to these, you would have to find a woman with this heredity first. (Actually, many theologians are saying the geneologies in Matthew and Luke are different in two places because one refers to Joseph. In that case, feel free to take two extra degrees of freedom with the woman's husband.)
5. Would he choose the same venues for his public ministry?
Most of his movements were also direct fulfillment of prophecy, so I'm going to go with a definite yes. I'm not going to research these (I don't think any of you care enough to read it), but an example would be Capernaum (Isaiah 8 or 9, I can't remember).
Otherwise, it's noticeable that he stuck to religious centers (the temple) and wilderness areas (the sermon on the mount). Word about Jesus got around by word of mouth. It wasn't until Jesus sent his disciples out for the first time that an honest effort was made to spread word around.
6. Would he use Facebook to gather and record his followers?
People usually came to him. I'd say no. Anyway, his followers are recorded in the Book of Life.
Jesus spoke to the public in parables, which aren't communicated very well by Facebook memes.
7. Would he be accepted?
Ha, definitely not. The short list of reasons why:
Jesus would be rejected by the Jews
Isaiah 49:7
Psalms 6:4
Psalms 69:4
Psalms 69:8
Isaiah 6:10
Isaiah 29:13
Isaiah 53:3
Isaiah 63:1-6
Jesus would be rejected by Jewish authorities
Psalms 118:22
Jesus would be plotted against by Jews and Gentiles together
Psalms 2:1-2
Jesus would be betrayed by a friend
Psalms 41:9
Psalms 55:12-24
Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Zechariah 11:12-13
Jesus would have the price for His life given to buy a potters field
Zechariah 11:13
Jesus would be forsaken by His flock
Zechariah 13:7
Jesus the shepherd would be struck
Zechariah 13:7
Micah 5:1
Jesus would be spat on
Isaiah 50:6
Jesus would be mocked
Isaiah 50:6
Psalm 22:7-8
Jesus would be beaten
Isaiah 50:6
8. Would authorities mock and arrest him?
See the previous question, which was taken primarily from http://www.cynet.com/Jesus/PROPHECY/ntquoted.htm
There are more about the authorities,
9. Would we support him and demand his release?
Of course not! None of us would. Remember Peter's response when Jesus was arrested? He was afraid people would just associate him with Jesus. (Mark 14)
Also remember that Pontius Pilate could find no reason to execute Jesus. The crowd demanded his death with cries of "Crucify him!" and chose to release a known murderer, Barabbas (Matthew 27), rather than allow him to live.
10. How would you react to Jesus if he first came today?
I probably wouldn't, seeing as he rarely interacted with Gentiles. Even so, my best bet would be to follow him like the 12 disciples and act stupidly like the 12 disciples.
11. Would you accept and follow him?
As a purely hypothetical question...no, I would probably never even hear of him. However, the Bible tells us that God knew his followers before we were born (Ephesians 1), so according to God, yes.
Special thanks to the following resource sites:
cynet.com
gotquestions.org
biblegateway.com
...I am...
Jesus Christ: Maren L. Sanders
I am nearly completely incognito, as I am and was then, a woman. God sent me here as a baby again, and I am finding myslelf nearly alone for want of a friend in whom to have support of my anything. I am abused, neglected, and mocked. I am murdered and raped from time to time. (I raise from the dead time and time again, from ashes, broken bones, burned flesh, and night after night...) I am alone and pretty much have been ridiculed and placed on meds in mental institutions by mental health counselors and psychiatrists over the past 41 years, since 1968, when I began to say that...I am...Jesus Christ! See my site at marsweatherstation..."The Jesus Chronicals" ...Love, Sande
If jesus were not born till today, the world would be a
much better place than it curently is because christianity
(the religion) would not yet have been started.
Religion especialy the christian religion are were all
the hatred, fear, war, and violence in todays world
come from.
Without the presence of those things especialy the
christian religion he would be accepted pretty much
in the same manner he was then.
Now if some form of the christian religion existed today
and he was born today, then as soon as he started his
ministry he would be killed.
I wouldnt wager him lasting a day.
We would kill Jesus, without a doubt. The priests and people of the day would not accept Him because He did not fulfil traiditional expectations or ideas of God.