This past week, the now famous blue man from the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics did an interview in which he attempted an apology for his place in the blasphemous act. In this interview he spoke about how he was born Christian, he knew what it meant to be Christian, and being Christian meant forgiveness. Therefore, he was not troubled or concerned because he was confident that Christians would forgive him. It was spoken with an air of expectation, lacking repentance and a strong voice of presumption; that there was no harm was done, because we would forgive and it’s time to move forward with joy and happiness. The most troubling thing was not his nonchalant and presumptuous attitude, but a lack of understanding of what Christianity is.
The first message that Jesus proclaimed was not “forgive one another.” John the Baptist did not invite people down to the waters of the Jordan to baptize one another, calling enemies to come forward pouring water over one another’s heads, nor at the Last Supper did Jesus hand each of the Twelve a towel and ask them to wash one another’s feet.
Forgiveness is an essential part of Christianity, there can be no mistake about that. Our Lord goes on to tell us that he who does not forgive will not be forgiven and we will be forgiven as we forgive others. The starting point, however, is not human forgiveness, nor is this the ultimate goal or promise from the Father that Christ proclaimed. John came, rather, baptizing for the forgiveness from God and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand; Jesus washed the feet of the Twelve as an act of the Son of God revealing God’s love and action toward humanity.
Christianity is about the promise of Eternal Life, the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, repentance and self- sacrifice. It is first and foremost the revelation that not only does God love us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to us, but that we could also follow him.
Forgiveness, is essential to following him, but so also is faith and hope, humility, meekness, honor and worship of the Holy Trinity, the One True God; and willing sacrifice for the remission of the sins of others. Our faith is about loving God so much, that we desire to give up all of the things of this world and loving others so much, that we sacrifice that they would receive eternal life and union with the Father.
Christianity, I would say, is less concerned about forgiving the blue man and others involved in these inhumane and ungodly acts, and most concerned with God’s forgiveness and the wounds against His heart. This is what we are made for, to go far beyond forgiveness and to make reparation, that even this blue man will see the Kingdom of God, and enter.
