[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDC2iBQTYg]

[Warning: Clip contains mild language and material that could be deemed offensive and convicting to Christians]

This is one of my favorite and poignant clips when it comes to American Christianity. It’s all about which Jesus we choose to follow. It’s classic.

We often gravitate to a Jesus that is not convicting when it comes to our own lives and prefer a Jesus who is confrontational to the lives of other people we don’t like. Who doesn’t prefer a tiny infant? We want Jesus to be kind, merciful and giving towards us. We want Jesus to make life easier. We want to be blessed. But when dealing with people we don’t like, we like a harsh and convicting Savior to deal with them and their sinfulness. It’s like we’re dining at the Jesus buffet, we pick and choose the Lord we like best. We end up seeing Christ for who we want him to be and not for who He is. It’s the American way. Whatever way is most beneficial to me must the right way. We trivialize and commercialize anything sacred (and I’m talking about Christians - NOT nonbelievers!).

I’ve been using this past few days to reevaluate which Jesus I’m following. I often find myself only being thankful when things are going well and only dependent on Him when things aren’t. I don’t like persecution. I don’t like struggling. I don’t like the hard road. I don’t like change. I want a Santa Clause version of Jesus - one where I sit on his lap, smile, and ask for stuff. I don’t like being convicted or stretched. I like the easy road.

Though I know I am not called to the easy road…

So which Jesus are you following?