J.B and J.C. Really?!

           Today, a guest post from my lovely daughter, Hannah!

     I was watching a sitcom the other night, in which the youngest son had questions about this ‘intriguing book’ he was reading called the Bible. He was constantly put off by his parents, and his father told him that the best time to worry about the Bible was between 9 and 10 on Sunday mornings.

                This boy’s older sister had a different take. Disgruntled at her brother’s apparent disbelief, she told him that if he didn’t believe, she didn’t even think he was allowed to celebrate Christmas. She then went to the reverend, in hopes that he could save him.

                Already, I was put off by the casual way that something as Holy and life-altering as the Word of God  was being expressed through this show in a comedic, not-really-necessary-to-life commodity. BUT, then the reverend compared ‘J.C.’ to ‘J.B.’—none other than Justin Bieber!! Really?! He went on to say that just as Justin lives his life, sings, and expresses himself in hopes that people will  follow him, Christ did the same, in hopes that people would see what they liked and decide to follow Him.

                Okay, for one thing, a 5 year old is not going to stand back to back with his father to see how close they are in height, because there is nothing to compare. Just as the life and walk of these two men, and the choice that people make to follow them, should not be compared.

                Let’s ponder the differences here. Justin Bieber has an effect on 12 year old girls  that makes them weak in the knees. They swoon, and call themselves ‘Beliebers’—yes, I know. He was discovered on YouTube for his musical abilities, has a talent that was recognized immediately, and that hair—that hair that everyone loves, the hair that accentuates his handsome features, and that boys and young men alike want to emulate when they get their haircut at the local barber—after all, the girls absolutely adore Justin. He is not even 20, and he is set for life. Who wouldn’t want to follow him?

                Now let’s talk about my Savior—they call this man Jesus Christ. He was not discovered on YouTube, he was discovered in a manger. He does not make me weak in the knees, but makes me fall on my knees in worship, as I know of no other way to be before the King. He was recognized by His love for the unlikely, the lost, the taxpayers…for me. He was not always accepted, but recognized. He was not lovely to look at; in Isaiah 53 it says, “He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Justin Bieber was not sent here to be bear the weight and sin of the world. Jesus was. He became a man of sorrows, in order that you and I could have the hope of eternal life. My king was scoffed at, spit upon, was made a crown of thorns in mockery, before being hung by nails on the cross. He loved us before He knew us. He suffered that we wouldn’t have to. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of this world. Justin Bieber sings songs that we can feel good about and sing along to. Jesus gave you and I life. Who wouldn’t want to follow Him?