Good Friday is for Empathetic Losers

by

Practicing Faith

Special to United Methodist Insight | April 10, 2025

Ted Turner, founder of CNN and TBS, and former owner of the AtlantaBraves, was quoted once as saying that "Christianity is a religion for losers."

When criticized for his comments, Turner apologized for the wording, but explained, "Christianity is the religion of the down-and-out, becauseChristianity says give everything to the poor, follow Christ, and wearsackcloth and ashes."

Turner did give a billion dollars to the United Nations, but for the most part he still doesn't understand why anyone would follow Jesus, and he's not alone.

Elon Musk, the richest man in the world with a staggering net worth of 345 billion dollars, believes that empathy is the fundamental weakness of western civilization. While Musk said he believes in empathy and that “you should care about other people,” he told popular podcaster, Joe Rogan, he also thinks it is destroying society.

Empathy, Musk said, has been “weaponized.” “…sympathy for the poor, the struggling, or even just hardworking neighbors is not a virtue but a vice. The natural inclination to reach out to those in need is precisely what has inflated the (federal) budget….” Musk believes it is only the cold-hearted calculations of people like him, devoid of empathy, that can solve our financial problems.

Surprisingly, some Christian leaders are in sympathy with Musk. Speaking to podcaster Dominick Bonny, lead pastor Josh McPherson of Grace City Church in Wenatchee, Washington, claimed empathy is a sin, “…a sin that especially women in churches and friendships fall victim to because their empathy aligns them alongside those who are misaligned with God— the gossips, sinners, sick and bullied.”

But for most of us who follow Jesus, empathy is basic to our identity. Caring for others, sacrificing ourselves for the good of all, is our quintessential calling: “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” (Matthew 16:24-26a)

We follow one who died on a cross -- the equivalent of the electric chair, the gas chamber, the firing squad, or the hangman's noose. The Apostle Paul says, "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God."

The Ted Turners and the Elon Musks of the world view what Jesus did on the cross, and what we do on Good Friday to commemorate his sacrifice, as foolishness.

Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar and noted ecumenical teacher, put it this way in one of his “Daily Meditations:”

“Jesus was clear: Love always. Bless those who persecute you. Forgive even the unforgivable. Turn the other cheek, not in surrender but in defiance of violence. Do not repay evil with evil, but overcome evil with good. This may not change the world, but sometimes it is important to do things simply because they are the right things to do. In the end, all we have is our integrity. So let us stand in it, grounded in the One who renews us each moment and calls us to a nonviolent witness of love….”

We follow one who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This is foolishness to the world. Those who make peace without arms or violence are viewed as empathetic losers in popular culture.

A Disney movie tells the unforgettable story of Ruby Bridges, a seven-year-old African-American girl who was scheduled to attend a school in New Orleans. It was in the days of legal segregation, and she was escorted to school by Federal Marshals. She had to walk past lines of screaming adults whose eyes were filled with hate and ugliness of character. Before going into the building, Ruby turned and prayed for those who were harassing and taunting her. When she later told her story to a reporter, he shook his head and said, "You were praying for the people who were screaming at you?" She said, "Yes, my mama taught me that when people speak mean of you, pray for them just like Jesus prayed for the people who spoke mean of him."

What utter foolishness!

A teacher gives a kidney to one of her students. Everyone marvels thatanyone would do such a thing. Foolishness.

Jesus, while hanging on the cross, looked out on those who had hung himthere, the many who were responsible for his hanging there, and said,"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

What a loser! Who would follow a loser like that?

I would.

The Rev. John Sumwalt is a retired Wisconsin Conference pastor and the author of “Vision Stories,” and “How to Preach the Miracles.”