Please take a full listen to our thoughts on the "He Gets Us" ad campaign. Even if you don't agree with where we land, please hear our hearts.
Let me state, I love Jesus! I wholeheartedly believe that we must get the biblical Jesus correct. There are some places in our culture and in our world where there is a modified Jesus of human creation and addition that is being worshipped. That is a dangerous thing!
With that said, I cannot make the determination that the "He Get Us" campaign is proposing a false modified Jesus. From everything I've seen and read of the Come Near organization, I believe they are genuinely calling people to know the real Jesus.
Am I completely on board with all of their methods? Not necessarily. But, I also admit that I don't have enough information. Do I agree with all of the entities that donors for the ad-campaign have also chosen to fund? No. I also don't agree with many of the things people in my own church choose to fund outside of giving tithes and offerings.
Here's what I feel confident in determining:
1. The ad is not dismissing repentance as a part of the gospel.
The campaign does not claim to be a full presentation of the gospel. It appears to be an obvious starting point, calling people to learn about Jesus. Me having a t-shirt that reads "God is good", is not a full presentation of the gospel. Its a starting point. May an ad, t-shirt, church marquee, or song never be something we trust to present the full gospel. May we present the full gospel as Christ-followers through our words and actions.
Speaking of repentance....why would someone encourage people to check out the real Jesus if they didn't want that individual to repent? Repent means to turn. Turn away from your way of living and follow Jesus. Of course this ad campaign is about trying to show others a Jesus who will radically change their lives. Why would you waste millions of dollars on an ad that encourages people to not change anything? What is the point of the ad? If you are fine with people continuing to live as they are, then why would you spend millions to encourage people to stay put?
2. The ad is not advocating for a specific political party or cause.
It doesn't matter if you're conservative or liberal. The aim of the ad isn't in support of a specific political agenda. If you are reading that into the ad, then chances are your politics are equally or more important than your faith. Jesus should challenge us all to think differently every single day.
That's all I'm gonna say about that. Don't wanna waste time on politics.
3. The ad is not saying anything false about Jesus.
Many have pointed out that Jesus only washed the feet of His disciples. However, the obvious response is "well, yeah, He washed the feet of Judas who He knew was about to betray Him!" The point is not that Jesus washing feet equals full pardoning of sin. Jesus does offer forgiveness, but that's through His work on the cross. Jesus washing feet is consistent with His own message.
"even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
"but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Philippians 2:7-8
We serve a Jesus who offers forgiveness and healing, no matter what sin we've been entangled with or background we come from. By the way, every disciple and every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He gets us doesn't mean "he tolerates us". It means, Jesus knows us. He is God and He is also God incarnate. He lived on this earth. He was tempted by Satan to disobey God. Jesus knows all about it!
What is the ad saying? I'm taking the group at face value. I believe they are calling people to know Jesus. Again, do I know everything? Nope. Could the group have a secret agenda? Maybe, but so could alot of churches and groups out there. All I can do is make a determination by what is being said, what I see, and what I hear.
Here's what I do know.....
1. I'm thankful the ad has gotten people to talk about Jesus.
2. I'm thankful the name of Jesus is being broadcast to the masses.
3. Outrage should never be the method of operation for Christ-followers.
If you want people to know truth, teach them truth! (By your words and actions)
4. We worship politics and put our hope in political agendas way too much.
5. I respect my fellow brothers and sisters who have come to differing conclusions on this.
I am grateful that you are pursuing truth. Know that I join you in that pursuit.
If I find out tomorrow that He Gets Us actually does have an agenda which teaches a Jesus that is not consistent with scripture, then I'd be the first to admit that it is a dangerous ad campaign. However, I hope that I would spend more time praying, not getting outraged, not firing darts on social media, and committing myself afresh and anew to telling others the truth of Jesus.
In fact, that sounds like a plan regardless of how this ad campaign turns out!
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