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Russell Wilson Isn’t Jesus

Russell Wilson Isn’t Jesus

Last updated on: August 31, 2016 at 2:41 pm by Ryan Welsh

Russell Wilson Isn’t Jesus 2016-08-31T14:41:31-07:00 Ryan Welsh

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Russell In 2012 the Seattle Seahawks drafted quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round who exceeded all expectations. The vast majority of third round NFL picks don’t even make the team, but Wilson not only made the team but won the starting job his rookie season before the regular season opener. In just four NFL seasons he has accumulated colossal undertakings: Super Bowl champion, two-time NFC champion, three-time Pro Bowl selection, Pro Bowl Offensive MVP and NFL Passer Rating Leader, just to name a few.

Something Is Different About This Guy

Screen Shot 2016-08-31 at 12.27.11 PM The biggest difference between Wilson and other NFL athletes is even more noticeable off the field. He is outspoken about his faith in Jesus Christ. Additionally, he spends one day a week, every week, at Seattle Children’s Hospital encouraging and caring for children with cancer. Wilson, by everyone’s assessment, even for those who don’t like him, is different from the norm.

As one might assume, he gained a swift following in Seattle. Some for his football, some for his faith, and others for the combination. Christians were quick to hail him one of the best things to happen in Seattle. Just a look at his Twitter profile will show why Christians believe he is so special: “Mission: Live Like Jesus & Then Lead People to Jesus. The Best is Yet to Come!

Something Happened

Then something happened. At least much of his Evangelical following thought so:

He and his first wife divorced.
– We don’t know details. There are many rumors, but no one really knows.

He started dating Ciara.
– Ciara is a globally-popular singer, writer, producer, actress and fashion model. She is nowhere recorded as talking about her faith in Jesus until after she started dating Wilson. Many of her songs include lyrics that fit seamlessly into the secular R&B and Hip-hop genre. Her clothing choices, whether at award ceremonies or performances, are, to say the least, revealing.

He started becoming self-interested.
– His social media accounts evidenced an emerging and different Russell Wilson. He seemed to become more interested in his fame, his brand and his money.

He got engaged to Ciara.

He started posting very revealing pictures of Ciara.
– Not only were much of Ciara’s clothing options revealing, Wilson would eventually go on vacation with her and while on a beach take and post provocative photos of her for the world to see. These sorts of actions caused many to question their “no sex before marriage” policy.

They changed the location of their wedding from North Carolina to London because of the state’s transgender bathroom laws.
– Although Wilson explained by saying “I just believe Jesus loves all people,” this caused confusion for many Evangelicals because of the biblical teachings on manhood and womanhood.

For some of Wilson’s following, none of these things make any bit of difference. For others, this list only adds to their love for him. For many Evangelicals, however, the items on this list are troubling. They are witnessing their adored Russell Wilson, who was distinct from other famous athletes, fall into some of the same temptations and traps.

Russell Wilson Isn’t Jesus

I have no desire to try Russell Wilson’s decisions in the court of Evangelicalism. I have no ambition to preach anything in this medium to or at Russell Wilson. I do, however, believe that this discussion brings a much-needed teaching opportunity to the surface of the Evangelical world.

Russell Wilson is not Jesus. He never was. He never will be. He never said he was.

I understand that no one actually said, “Russell Wilson is Jesus Christ,” but by much of the reaction I’ve seen, people seemed to have expected Him to be the spotless and perfect lamb of God.

This isn’t just a Russell Wilson related issue. This is an example what happens when people put others on Jesus’ level. They will always and inevitably disappoint! I could list a host of celebrity pastors who have been elevated far too high. They are worshiped and when they fall, when then show their sinfulness, they disappoint. Jesus is the only sinless one. Russell Wilson is a sinner just like you and I. He wasn’t the prophesied Messiah. He didn’t die for our sins.

Christians often revert back to characteristics of the unsaved:

Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served creature rather than Creator, who is blessed forever? Amen (Romans 1:25).

I’ve witnessed many, many Christians in the last year confess a huge disappointment in Wilson’s actions. I’ve even seen some stop supporting him altogether because he isn’t what they thought he was. They are exactly right… He isn’t what they thought he was.. and that’s not on Russell, that’s on them.

Can we enjoy watching Russell Wilson play football and praise Jesus for saving him, Ciara and us from our sins without having unilateral agreement on all things? Can we praise Jesus for what He does in and through Russell Wilson even if he’s not a systematic theologian who has all of his theology figured out? Can we cheer for him if we wouldn’t let him preach at our church?

Looking To Jesus

I know that a post like this likely this upsets everyone. For those who are not in the Evangelical world, it sounds legalistic. It sounds like I’m attacking Russell and Ciara for their choices. For those in the Evangelical world, it sounds like I am excusing sin. I don’t intent to do either of those two things. My aim is to remind Christians that all their worship ought to be directed towards Jesus. He is the one who lived a perfect life. He is the one who died our death in our place because of our sin. Jesus is the only one who will never disappoint.

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

If one tries to insert any other name in Jesus place, then the rest of the sentence is absurd. Only Jesus is the founder and perfector of our faith. Only Jesus endured the cross. Only He despised the shame. And only He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure Wilson would be the first to tell you that he isn’t Jesus. We would disagree with some theological distinctions, but would certainly agree on who Jesus is and who Jesus is not.

We all fall short of other’s expectations. It is for this very reason that many non-Christians view Christians as hypocrites. Thank God for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the gospel that tells us that Jesus lived up to the standards of the Law because we could not. Every time we fall short, we can look at the cross and remember that Jesus paid it all.

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