In most circles it is not politically correct to talk about Jesus. We often do it in whispers, not wanting to be labeled a Jesus freak. Easter is a time to talk about the birth and death of Jesus Christ. Many people choose to concentrate on the Easter Bunny, colored eggs and spring. In fact, speaking as a former "God is dead" and "you can't trust anybody" person, who wanted nothing to do with religion, I understand if you stop reading at this point.
I didn't get it then. Jesus came as an ambassador for healing, wholeness and forgiveness and he wanted nothing to do with religion either. Jesus came to tell the world that rules, laws and systems that include some and exclude others is mistaken, flawed thinking. Who can even imagine how much courage it took and still takes to follow this radical dissenter? Overcoming stereotypes, opinions and laws is hard work and calls for determination. It is so difficult to be different, to be outside the acceptance of power. Jesus knew how hard it is to be human, to be born poor, to be thought crazy, to be hungry, to be alone and lonely. Jesus came to say there are only two commandments -----"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul" and "love your neighbor as yourself."
Christians who make laws and rules and demand that people be a certain way have given Jesus a bad name, and created much crippling guilt. When Jesus was walking our earth, many people were asking the question "who is this Jesus and where does he get his authority?" The priests, the kings, the law makers and the religious people feared that if he grew popular he would undermine their authority and cause people to question their power. With true Christianity, there is no place for power. I wonder what some churches would do if Jesus walked in and started driving out the power, the money changers, and the rule makers.
The magnificence of Jesus is that anyone can claim him and I do. My Jesus loves everyone. His commandments are pure and simple. My Jesus thinks it is more important to forgive than to make people follow the rules. My Jesus does not love based on what color I am or how much money I make or what my sexual orientation is. My Jesus did not appoint a board to decide what acceptable conduct is. My Jesus said follow me because you love me and want to love yourself. As human beings we all fall easily for schemes that promise us something for nothing. Yet we often reject a Jesus who promises exactly that. What is his something for nothing? It is love in response to hatred or apathy, it is undeserved forgiveness in response to human behavior and it is strength when the world is too much. My Jesus said that we cannot earn our way into heaven, what a concept! My good works are as nothing? He loves me even when I am bad? My Jesus said "take the log out of your own eye before you try to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." Simple logic, so hard to implement, yet a worthy goal and one that if practiced will bring more peace to our community and the world. My Jesus says I should do my best, mind my own P's and Q's, help those I can, then leave the rest up to him. We can truly celebrate the season and the birth and death of the man who came to save the world. That man wants to be loved, not feared, and not judged because of the way some people misrepresent him. He died for you and me. He meets you where you are; all you have to do is ask.
Evelyn Leite is a licensed professional counselor and the founder of A Center for Training and Restoration, a non-profit organization designed to serve those who cannot afford mental health care. She is looking for volunteers and accepts donations to help with this effort. She can be reached at