J.R. Briggs

Facebook Jesus or Twitter Jesus?

May 9, 2009

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Social networking tools are talked about everywhere…

Just about everyone is on Facebook these days. I’m a late adopter (signed up at Christmastime) maybe the last 20something on the planet to join. Initially I found FB to be interesting, but I’m slightly disappointed that (a) it hasn’t lived up to all the hype (b) that so many people waste so much time using it and (c) our definition of “friend” in the English language is being dramatically altered by this social networking tool (can I really be a ‘friend’ to someone who I have never actually met before or haven’t talked to since the third grade?) But that’s for another time, I guess…

Twitter seems to be in the hottest social networking tool – its in the news a lot these days. If you know me well you know that I’m actually loving Twitter and use it a lot more than Facebook. I can stay in touch with friends, other pastors, leaders and thinkers, meet new people, learn about networks and read about up to the second breaking news all in one place. (You should set up an account. Try it for a month. If you don’t like it, drop it). It’s a simple concept. Easy to manage. Clear. Not a huge time waster. Straight to the point.  (I’m rarely on Facebook these days and do most of my status updates from an application on my Twitter account).

You may have noticed that Jesus is using social networks now. Yeah, he has both a Facebook and a Twitter account.

And it struck me…

You can be Jesus’ ‘friend’ on Facebook – even become a fan – but the only option you have with him on Twitter is to follow. It might seem silly (and the analogy certain breaks down) but it was a good challenge for me: Is Jesus simply my buddy? Am I just a fan of him? Or am I willing to follow him?

The crowds came to hear Jesus and be around him, but only a few were capable of following him. John 6 mentions that many ‘fans’ of Jesus deserted him and no longer followed him around listening to his tachings. In addition, the twelve disciples complained that Jesus’ teachings were difficult. He asked them, “Do you want to leave too?” Jesus gave them the opportunity to walk away if they wanted to.

The startling truth is that Jesus wants followers, not fans.

We all have to answer the question: Will I be a fan or will I be a follower? Facebook Jesus or Twitter Jesus?

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