What is a Jesus juke?
A “Jesus juke” is a term used to describe when someone abruptly changes the topic of conversation to Jesus or the gospel message in an awkward or inappropriate way. Here is a 9,000 word explanation of what the Bible teaches about appropriately sharing the gospel:
The Bible makes it clear that followers of Jesus are called to share the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). However, there are wise and unwise ways to go about this important calling. A “Jesus juke” often represents an unwise approach that is more likely to push people away than draw them to Christ.
Some key principles for thoughtfully sharing the gospel include:
Focus on relationship, not just conversion. Developing authentic relationships with nonbelievers is vital. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, we must be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ, but do so “with gentleness and respect.” Genuine relationships enable organic, non-awkward sharing of the gospel when appropriate. A “Jesus juke” by a stranger or acquaintance may feel aggressive rather than gentle and respectful.
Discern the Holy Spirit’s leading. We need to be sensitive to timing and discern when someone is open to spiritual topics. Paul said “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2-3). We need God to open doors to effectively share the gospel. Doors are opened through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Ask good questions. Often the best way to share Christ is by asking thoughtful questions to understand where someone is at spiritually. Jesus engaged people in this way. He asked questions like “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41) and “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Good questions create dialogue rather than a one-sided speech.
Listen intently. An important part of any conversation is listening. James 1:19 reminds us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” Avoid launching into a gospel presentation without taking time to understand an individual’s story, background, beliefs, and objections. Listen first to build mutual understanding.
Share your story. Sharing your personal story of how you came to faith in Christ can be an effective way to share the gospel without being pushy. Your story invites others to reflect on their own spiritual journey in a non-threatening way. “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:14).
Look for opportunities to bless. As Matthew 5:16 says, let people see your good deeds and glorify God. Acts of kindness, sacrifice, and service open doors for gospel conversations by demonstrating God’s love. They give validity to your words. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:9-10).
Be quick to listen, slow to speak. Make sure your talking-to-listening ratio is weighted towards listening. Let them share their perspective. Reflect back what you hear to ensure understanding. Build a dialogue rather than a lecture. As Proverbs 18:13 warns, “To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.”
Steer clear of Christian jargon. Avoid insider language that those unfamiliar with the Bible will not understand. Define terms clearly when appropriate. As 1 Corinthians 14:8-9 says, speech should be clear to be correctly understood. Speak truth, but do so in a way outsiders can relate to.
Acknowledge doubts and questions. Non-Christians often have sincere questions and doubts about God, the Bible, Jesus, etc. Refrain from communicating there are no good reasons for doubt. Acknowledge doubts, just as John the Baptist did when he asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Respond to doubts with empathy, wisdom and facts, not judgment.
Focus more on salvation than condemnation. It’s easy to come across as condemning of people’s beliefs and lifestyles. But Jesus interacted with people mired in sin with mercy. He said he did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). The gospel (“good news”) is a message of hope, not condemnation for non-Christians.
Be patient. Some plant seeds, others water seeds already planted, but God provides the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Trust that God is at work in a person’s life journey. Your role is to faithfully plant gospel seeds through both words and deeds. Patiently allow God’s Spirit to draw people to Himself in His perfect timing.
In summary, thoughtfully sharing the gospel requires prayerful dependence on the Spirit’s leading, pursuing authentic relationships, listening well, asking good questions, looking for opportunities to bless others, steering clear of insider language, acknowledging doubts and questions, focusing more on salvation than condemnation, exercising patience, and speaking the truth in love.
A “Jesus juke” disregards these wise principles and approaches evangelism in insensitive, awkward or aggressive ways. Unfortunately, many non-Christians have faced negative experiences when Christians try to force a gospel presentation at inappropriate times or show judgmental attitudes. This reinforces barriers to the gospel rather than tearing them down.
The Bible contains many examples of faithfully and effectively sharing the gospel that should inform our approach:
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)
Jesus chose to travel through Samaria despite Jews normally avoiding this route due to animosity with Samaritans. In the region of Samaria, Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well. He engaged her in conversation and appealed to her thirst, offering living water. The woman expressed skepticism that Jesus could provide such water.
Jesus responded to her doubt with an intriguing statement about those who drink his water never thirsting again. This caused her to ask for this miraculous water. Jesus then pointed out her previous failed relationships and offered her eternal water instead.
When the conversation shifted to theological differences between Jews and Samaritans regarding proper worship, Jesus shared he was the Messiah both groups actually worshiped. The woman believed Jesus and invited others to meet him. Many Samaritans came to faith through her testimony.
Key principles exemplified:
– Approaching those hostile to your beliefs with love
– Engaging spiritual curiosity with intriguing promises
– Responding to skepticism by elaborating on the gospel’s power
– Exposing sin but emphasizing grace and redemption
– Listening to objections and differences in perspective
– Making bold but relationally-wise messianic claims
– Equipping new believers to share their testimony
Peter and the Jerusalem Crowd (Acts 2:14-41)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter gave an impromptu sermon to thousands of Jewish people in Jerusalem confused by the disciples speaking in tongues through the Spirit’s outpouring.
Peter began his gospel presentation by referencing a prophesy in Scripture familiar to the audience. He then explained how Jesus miraculously fulfilled this prophesy before their eyes.
Peter proceeded to highlight Jesus’ divinity through his miraculous deeds. He contrasted these acts with the audience’s role in crucifying Jesus. Peter pointed to Jesus’ resurrection as God’s vindication of Christ’s claims.
Peter implored the crowd to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins. He promised they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through Peter’s compelling speech, about three thousand people believed in Jesus and were baptized.
Key principles exemplified:
– Connecting to familiar prophesy and Scripture
– Proclaiming Jesus’ miracles and divinity
– Directly addressing complicity in Jesus’ death
– Focusing on Christ’s resurrection and its implications
– Calling for repentance and baptism
– Describing the gift of salvation available to all who believe
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
While waiting for his companions in Athens, Paul engaged Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in debate about the gospel. They invited him to speak to more Athenians curious about his “new ideas.”
Standing before the Areopagus council, Paul identified an altar “To An Unknown God” and stated he would make known this unknown deity they worshiped. He begins proclaiming God as Creator and Lord of all things who cannot live in manmade temples.
Paul described God’s desire for all nations to seek him, reach out for him, and find him. However, up to this point Athenians were ignorant about God. But now God commands repentance from idolatry and promises judgment through a man. God verified this man by raising him from the dead.
When some sneered at the resurrection, others wanted to hear Paul further. A few became believers including Dionysius and Damaris.
Key principles exemplified:
– Finding points of connection with unbelieving culture/religion
– Proclaiming God as Lord, Creator, and the unknown deity they unknowingly worship
– Preaching against idolatry toward the one true God
– Describing God’s desire for all people to reach out and find him through repentance
– Explaining the role of Jesus Christ as resurrected judge whom God verified
– Engaging curiosity to hear more despite skepticism from some
Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40)
An angel directed Philip to approach an Ethiopian court official traveling back to Ethiopia after worshiping in Jerusalem. The Spirit told Philip to stay near the official’s chariot.
When Philip heard the Ethiopian reading Isaiah’s prophesy about the Suffering Servant, he asked if the official understood the passage. The official admitted needing guidance.
Philip explained how the prophesy referred to Jesus Christ. He told the good news about Jesus to the official. As they passed water, the official asked to be baptized. Philip baptized him, then was supernaturally transported away. The official continued joyfully on his journey.
Key principles exemplified:
– Listening to the Spirit’s direction about sharing the gospel
– Approaching those reading Scripture to offer insight
– Patiently explaining how Jesus fulfills biblical prophesy
– Describing the good news when interest and understanding grows
– Providing baptism when faith and desire emerge
– Trusting new believers to walk faithfully without constant handholding
Paul’s Letters (Romans 1:16, 10:14-15; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
The apostle Paul also provides critical wisdom for thoughtfully sharing the gospel in his New Testament letters. For example:
Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” The gospel alone contains power to save.
Romans 10:14-15 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” We must go, send, and preach the gospel to all.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 – “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law…that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law…that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel.” Paul tactfully adapted his style to connect with diverse cultures for the advancement of the gospel.
In summary, these passages stress the power of the gospel, yet underscore it will not advance unless we faithfully preach, send, and adapt ourselves to others for the purpose of sharing this message of hope.
Biblical Case Studies – Key Takeaways:
– Build relationships, don’t just preach at strangers
– Listen first before speaking
– Discern when someone is open versus closed
– Ask thoughtful questions to prompt reflection
– Meet people where they are at spiritually/culturally
– Share your personal story of coming to faith
– Explain how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy
– Highlight Jesus’ divine nature through his words, deeds, death and resurrection
– Call people to repentance and belief in Jesus for salvation
– Equip new believers to share their testimony with others
– Exercise patience, allowing God’s spirit to draw people to faith
– Speak truth clearly, but sensitively, to avoid creating unnecessary barriers
In summary, thoughtfully sharing one’s faith requires following Jesus’ example of approaching evangelism relationally rather than confrontationally, exercising discernment spiritually rather than barging ahead impulsively, listening empathetically rather than speaking judgmentally, and adapting your style to connect with diverse cultures, while understanding the gospel itself remains the power of God for salvation to all who believe. Employing these wise practices for faith-sharing avoids awkwardness and builds authentic bridges for the gospel.
So in essence, a “Jesus juke” disregards Christ’s model and biblical wisdom by aggressively inserting the gospel message at inappropriate times in impersonal or tactless ways. This often stems from good motives – urgency to see people saved and a boldness to share Christ. However, the manner and timing matters greatly. We should avoid “juke” moves that repel people from Christ. Instead, thoughtfully engage others in ways that provide “on-ramps” to faith, not “off-ramps.”
As 1 Peter 3:15 summarizes, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” May we faithfully share the gospel in keeping with this Spirit-inspired guidance, avoiding awkward “Jesus jukes” and instead offering Christ’s hope gently, relationally and effectively.