By REV. DR. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

“They” said he was guilty of gluttony—often greedily eating far too much. “They” said he was a drunkard—at times overcome by alcohol liquor to the point of losing control over his faculties. “They” said he was friends with tax-collectors—men who cheated the people and the government so their own back accounts would be full. And, “they” said he caroused with sinners—men and women who openly violated religious laws of various kinds.

Who is “they?” Well, “they” are the folks who have more time than purpose. “They” are folks who can tear apart the fabric of a community without contributing anything to weave it. “They” are people who know all the reasons why “it”—whatever “it” is—cannot be done. “They” are expert navel-gazers and adept storm-watchers. “They” can be found in any strata of society and any epoch of time. “They” thrive in the middle of people with purpose, goals, and commitment. “They” leach off the energy of enterprising people.

Catch the drift?

So, if you know who “they” is or are (ask President Clinton since he has proved his mastery over the word “is”), who is the “he?” He is Jesus of Nazareth. The Alpha and Omega. The king of kings. The Lord of lords. He is the door, the bread of life, the lily of the valley, the way, the truth, the life. He is the great amen. He is the prince of peace, the all wise counselor, the everlasting father, the mighty God. He is before Abraham was and there is no other way to put it.

Now, let us get the picture in focus. “They,” who have not made a dime's worth of difference in this world, have called Jesus a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, and a friend of tax-collectors, and an associate of sinners. Is this right? Yes, you have got it!

But, how does this set of scandalous facts fit into my neat and tidy religion called Christianity? It does not fit! If your religion is based on a Jesus who thinks, believes, and acts like a self-righteous hypocrite, you need to go back and read his best seller again. You've skipped over significant blocks of scripture. Like Jesus as the star of the party at Matthew's house. Like Jesus enjoying the town prostitute as she gave her all in a broken perfume bottle. Like Jesus fending off the town's moral majority from stoning a poor soul caught in adultery.

Yes, I know his best seller also says he was tempted in every way but without sin. I just think we've only told half the story. We've preached the part about “without sin.” Nevertheless, we have not been too effective in preaching he was a friend to all those caught in wrong places, a friend to the gay community, to the hookers, to the drug pushers, and to those involved in white collar crime. We just need to tell the whole truth, not just part. Why? Because he is Truth!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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