January 6

January 6 is the reason I write these blogs and why I turned to writing books when I left my job. I don’t know what else to do, but I cannot do nothing.

January 6, Epiphany, revealed to me the extent to which the American Church has been corrupted.

A false version of Christianity has taken hold, one that exploits the language and imagery of Christianity in the naked pursuit of wealth and power. 

I have heard it said that in an emergency, we fall back to our training. Well, I was trained to teach people what it means to follow Jesus, so that’s what I’m doing.

The verse that kept coming to mind today is from the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said,“Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) 

Just before this, Jesus said, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (v. 12)

And it was followed by, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” (vv.15-17)

The Wide Path is the path of Empire. It is the path that says, “might makes right.” It is the path of bullies and tyrants. It is easy because it requires no negotiation, no conversation, no listening. It is the path that demands obedience and submission.

What I witnessed on January 6, 2021, and in the years since, is that much of the American Church has chosen the path of Empire, the path that leads to destruction.

The Narrow Gate is hard because it takes time. It is costly and requires a posture of humility. It is the way that holds empathy as virtue and believes that loving one’s neighbor doesn’t come with strings or restrictions. It is the way of the cross, but also the way that leads to life.

As I sit here on this fifth anniversary, I am afraid of what lies before us. Many have chosen to take us all down the path that leads to destruction. Yet, I do have hope. I have hope because this has all happened before.

I have hope because I know how the story goes. The people betray Jesus, they mock him, they whip and beat him, they crucify and bury him. And darkness falls. 

But then, the earth shakes and light pierces into the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Friends, do unto others as you have done to you, keep to the Narrow Gate, and beware of false prophets. Jesus never said it was easy, only that it is the way that leads to life.