Counterfeits of Christ

It seems like a long time ago, but when I was a kid, there were only three television channels to watch, ABC, CBS, and NBC. There was very little in the way of late night programming outside of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. The other two channels often carried television evangelists.
For a long time, “televangelists” were very well respected. Occasionally you would see a powerful, uplifting, spiritually charged Billy Graham crusade. On the other hand you might see a Rev. Ike plead weekly to send him money so you could receive “a lucky coin” (which was of no value of course).
During the 1980’s we had scandals that rocked the country. Both Rev. Jim Bakker and Rev. Jimmy Swagart were caught with women to whom they were not married and their ministries crumbled. Recently, Rev. Ted Haggard from Colorado, who was involved in national politics, was exposed for his behavior. It seems that the word “televangelist” has taken a beating and is often looked at with suspicion.
Successful televangelists have remembered not to get too caught up in the “celebrity” of it all. I am reminded that the first such evangelist in the New Testament was careful to point to Jesus as the real Savior, the One to be celebrated. His name was John the Baptist. In the gospel of John 1:19-27, John the Baptist was questioned by the crowds and Jewish leaders about his status. John did not hesitate to make it clear that he was “only the messenger” who was making the path clear for the Messiah, Jesus. John makes it unmistakable that he is merely a human who “baptizes with water” yet he is not even good enough to untie Jesus’ sandals. How easy it might have been for John to get caught up in his own celebrity. Suddenly a guy from the wilderness becomes popular as the crowds gathered to hear him. Even the leaders wanted to know if he was Elijah who had returned. John serves as a wonderful example for preachers and parishioners. We should never forget that we are to be the messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ. There are people out there that simply want to sell us the next version of Christianity. It may be self-help, feel good entertainment, or even social/justice versions of faith, but anything other than Jesus, that is, the Jesus of the Bible, is counterfeit. The real Jesus is alive in the pages of the Bible, and through that text, you will know He is alive in the world as well. A relationship with Jesus is vitally important in a world that seeks to seduce you into believing that it’s all about you. That relationship is the only thing of real value in this whole universe.