One More Thing with Pastor Tim Burchill 02.04.2025

Old Jokes Are The Best Jokes

Sunday morning, we took a look at Jesus’ command to make our enemies into neighbors and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  One of the obstacles to doing this is our growing sense of tribalism—whether it’s a political, socio-economic, or even theological tribe.  Rather than looking for commonalities with those around us we are deceived into focusing on our differences, however slight.  This old joke is a poignant way to make the point.  I hope you enjoy it.

There is a classic religious joke, which is both funny and sad at the same time. It goes like this:

     Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!"

     He said, "Nobody loves me."

     I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

     He said, "Yes."

     I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?"

     He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too!

     Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too!

     What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too!

     Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too!

     Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"

     He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too!

     Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?"

     He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"

     Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?"

     He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912."

     I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him off the bridge.

“Some of said that you can summarize the law and prophets with one commandment:  Don’t Be A Jerk.  (Though often they use a different word)

Jerks don’t stop to consider how their attitudes, actions, and words affect other people.  Jerks are, as a rule, selfish and thoughtless.  They take out their fears, frustrations, insecurities, and ignorance on others.  Jerks have been the cause of wars, snide New Yorker articles, and upsetting comments on cute cat blogs for as long as anyone can remember.  That bully from grade school, that boss who promoted his fraternity brother over you that kid in seventh grade who mocked your lisp - all jerks.  To be totally honest, we can all be Jerks at times.  We can all get caught up in our own world, forget about everyone else, and start acting like jerks.  We all have bad days and we will make mistakes, even when we mean well.  What can you do?

Here’s what:  Remember that we’re all in it together.  Remember to take a breath and think of those around you.  Not being a jerk can be hard.  It takes work and practice.”

We would say it takes a risen and present Savior who goes with you to give you what you need, every step of the way.