For the last couple of years I've been thinking about this idea of a cool Jesus. It seemed to surface from different conversations I would have with people, as well as conversations I would overhear in this tightly cramped city of New York— in which you overhear everything. It would usually go something like this- Person A: "I'm not religious but I consider myself spiritual" Person B: "Oh really? what do you practice?" Person A: "I'm into meditation, Buddhism, and Yoga". Person B: "That's cool, I love the Dalai Lama".

Photo: Clint Fisher

The "J" Word

I began to think about Jesus, and the enormously powerful effect he has of silencing conversations at the very mention of his name. I imagine some of you know what I'm talking about, you are amongst a group of people having dinner, or on some social occasion and someone brings up "Jesus" and suddenly a symphonic muse of crickets fill the atmosphere. It seems we are living in a time where its cool to mention anything but Jesus.

Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte

My theory is that its all about the name. By and large people seem to be more comfortable talking about God in the abstract, once you start getting into specifics things get complicated. Here in NYC, God can mean anything from a force, a tree stump (yes we do have a few trees here) to an individual, in the theory that "we are all gods", and of course a large percentage of new yorkers who are athiests or agnostics, the former saying there is no God and the latter saying that God is unknowable, supposing human beings ill-equipped to judge the evidence.

So what's so cool about this Jesus guy?

Well the first thing, Jesus is God and God is cool. Let's also think about what makes a person cool. Here's a few things that I think make for a cool person.

Someone who listens

I really like people who listen, there's nothing like having something to say and being able to say it to a good listener. Every word that you say they pay close attention to. It's as if no word that you say to them is wasted or that it gets past them somehow without them noticing. When you speak to them, you are their only focus, the only important thing to them at that moment. Jesus listens. He is called our Counsellor ¹, and note the capital C. There is no earthly counsellor or person for that matter that has the ears that Jesus does. Jesus never sleeps, he's available 24/7 and he's never too busy for us; when you speak you have his undivided attention.

Someone who helps

Have you ever felt like King David? Have you ever had your back against the wall with no help in sight? or have you ever needed help in something that seemed so easy but you weren't able to do it? how about something that seemed virtually impossible to you that you could never do by yourself?

The apostle Peter was in a situation just like that, he and the other disciples saw Jesus walking on the water towards their boat one night, and when they realized that it was Jesus, Peter said "if it's you call me to you", and Jesus said "Come". So Peter began to do the impossible and walk on water but as soon as he saw the strong winds on the sea, he got scared and started to drown. Immediately the Bible says, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and said "O thou little faith wherefore didst thou doubt"? ²

Jesus helped Peter do what he thought was impossible and not only that but Jesus also helped Peter when he got scared and started to drown, and then encouraged him to believe Him and not doubt.

Someone who loves

Love is the bottom line here. Every good characteristic or trait that you may admire or desire in a person finds its root in love, and in each and every single one of us there is a need to be loved. It's a total slogan and it sounds sappy but it's completely true. Many people will not admit it but that doesn't change the truth of the fact.

Jesus was a unique man who did unique things, and during his day it wasn't always the most fashionable thing to say that he was your friend. I can remember my adolescent days where peer pressure reigned supreme and "the cool kids" would see me talking to one of my "uncool" friends. The awkwardness of wanting approval from the popular ones challenged my integrity to maintain my own identity and talk to, or hang out with, anyone I wanted to, "cool" or not.

Getting Real

I haven't escaped the desire of wanting to be liked, but I've come to understand that what matters most is the way you treat people, obviously, the way you would want them to treat you. One of the biggest things that used to annoy me about Christians was the pushy ones who always try to ram Jesus down your throat, and then throw guilt trips on any other Christian who wasn't doing the same, inferring that they were somehow ashamed. The most substantial growth I have experienced in this life has come from just being "me".

Yeah, I just said it- two words commonly frowned upon when it comes to identity in Christ- "personality" and "individuality". We are supposed to not think about ourselves, but others right? This is definitely true in a sense, but it was what had me completely bamboozled when it came to recognizing the fact that God made me; as dorky and weird as I am to be me. This is my job, to strive to be the best that I can be, but most importantly to be who God created me to be, the Good, the Bad & the Ugly.

Now a big shout out to all the artists and creatives out there, how are we to create from what's in us, in our individuality, in our personality, if we aren't truly being ourselves? This identity, this true identity is found in the one who created us, as individuals. And the coolest thing by far is that as an individual, Jesus knew who he was and was himself.

Jesus is cool because in Him we find our direction to be who he created us to be— completely unique individuals. Very cool.