Jesus' frappuccino

What if Jesus came to earth to invent cell phones? Think about it. Here’s God, all-knowing being who simply came to hang out with humans. He chats with people on hill tops, eats dinner with “losers,” and endures tremendous physical torture not to mention that which is in his heart. So really, why didn’t he tried to help himself out with a few modern conveniences? Even refrigeration would have been a good gift for people. The 12 extra baskets of fish could have been saved for the next feeding of 5000 with a good freezer.

Sometimes I look forward to my day off with great anticipation as it will give me an opportunity to indulge in a drink from Starbucks. It’s simple and refreshing, but really can make the long week or hot days completely bearable and even pleasant. The fact that I can’t have them on a daily or even weekly basis makes the drink all that more of a treat. I have no power or wisdom especially about the future, but I know the effects of an iced green tea frappuccino on my psyche, so I run after them.

So back to Jesus, what was his Starbucks? He could have revolutionized civilization with modern conveniences of cell phones, email, video cameras, frozen dinners, and microwaves. He knew the realities of the 21st century even before the calendar started. With such inventions, life would have been so much easier: Need more food and drink for the party? Open up the wine cooler in the fridge and continue to enjoy chatting with the ladies on the deck. Need a few guys to go to the next town and tell them about your father’s message? Send an email. Need to tell the arrogant teachers that they got it all wrong? Leave a long voice mail. Need to get a drink of water? Grab a cold one from the mini-fridge and enjoy watching the rest of the Survivor finale with your buddies. What more could a person want?

And yet he didn’t fast forward the world to our modern living standards. He walked from town to town. He stopped at wells for drinks. He road on a donkey. He washed his friends feet with a basin and towel. He ate with friends and engaged them in conversation without any screens flashing pictures at his face. He survived without Starbucks.

My point is that of all people, Jesus had the right and ABILITY to make life way easier, pleasant, and convenient, and yet he kept it real. He kept it simple without fluff or manufactured distractions or pleasures. He did life with people and just people because that was most important to him. This real life stuff gave him pleasure, worked out his spirit, and encouraged him about the future more than any new iPhone capability will ever do. I appreciate his example because despite all these sparkling gadgets, I realize they don’t make it possible for me to reach the high standard of community and whole-living. Only Jesus’ way makes that possible. I can email, text, frappuccino my way through life, but in the end the real life moments of face to face conversations, a shared meal, or quiet time in prayer will refresh my spirit and the heart of God.