Welcome to Cross and Crown Lutheran Church.

---

“What Would Jesus Do?” 

When I first saw those plastic bracelets that say “WWJD?” I thought the question was silly.  We know what Jesus would do, because we have a record of what Jesus did. The question seemed to reduce the mystery of Jesus to four simplistic words.  Surely, theology had to be more complicated than that, right? But as the years have passed, I come back to this question time and time again. I apply the question to so many ethical conundrums in my life, to my own spiritual development, to the way I interact with people, and to my understanding of the world. 

We believe Jesus was the Prince of Peace who lifted up the path of nonviolence. That doesn’t mean that for you and I to walk the path of nonviolence it will be comfortable and convenient, but we know what Jesus would do when confronted with the invitation toward violence. He would choose peace.

We believe Jesus chose love over hate. That doesn't mean that for you and I to walk the path of love, it will always be easy.   But instead, the path of love requires a laying down of our own will. It means telling our egos they cannot run the show. We will love because we know what Jesus would do, and Jesus shows us the way of love and life. 

We believe Jesus showed the way of grace. He did not hold people’s sins over anybody, but forgave them immediately and thoroughly. He asked us to do the same. This does not mean that we need to put ourselves in harms way if someone is abusive toward us. But it does mean that each person has been given this same grace from the Cross that we have been given. Just as our mistakes do not have the power to define us, others’ mistakes have been forgiven by this same radical grace, and we are invited to perceive this truth.  

I invite you to look carefully at all of the events and states of mind that beckon you. When you are at a crossroads and thinking through your decision-making, pause and ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” May we continue to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior.  

God‘s peace, 

Pastor Stephanie