Alpha and Beta Jesus
- Sherry
- Dec 24, 2025
- 2 min read
A few times in the last couple of weeks in random conversations I've heard mention of a line from a Will Ferrell movie about "Sweet Baby Jesus". In the context of the movie it is funny. The comment I heard didn't seem an attempt to be overtly irreverent. Thinking about it though, Satan probably did get a chuckle out of hearing his nemesis disrespected in that way.
Regardless, hearing it irked my spirit.
There is quite a contrast between the picture of Jesus in the manger...tender and mild... which we focus on each Christmas and the description of the coming, conquering judge and King Jesus....coming with fire and armies of angels to put down all wickedness and shut up the evil one once and for all.
I can remember a time when people would struggle with the idea of a loving and tender, compassionate God because maybe they had only heard of the fire and brimstone, angry father, vengeful, "Turn or Burn" God. That wasn't the picture of a god they wanted to follow.
But I'm thinking that the pendulum may have swung too far in the other direction and now our society feels more comfortable with a Beta Jesus... Weak, passive, tolerant, nonconfrontational.
WWJD? He'd let people do whatever they want... "That's what love is".
It seems to me that culture wants to make God into the same image that is destorying Manhood. "Sweet Baby Jesus. Don't make a scene. No "toxic Jesus". Just pay for everything and be quiet".
Today and tomorrow I'll celebrate that first appearance of Jesus, and the voices around me will quietly join mine singing Silent Night. But this isn't the context of Jesus I've been thinking about a lot lately. I feel much closer to the celebration of the second appearance...one where Jesus appears as that victorious, majestic King and the voices I hear joining with mine are those of all people, of all time worshipping him with great roars of praise.... a sound like harmonious rushing waters.
It is glorious and victorious. We will be humbled by his might and power. EVERY knee will bow to him. EVERY tongue will confess that, yes, this is The King. No one will mock his glory with language which demeans him or makes him small... "Sweet baby Jesus" who I keep tucked quietly away until I have need for his help.
"Sweet Beta Jesus".
No. That is not who he is. He is the Alpha and Omega; the One who was the beginning and The One who is the end. The natural response of all mankind for all time will be to fall down and worship.
There will be no debate about how we think he should present... how we think he should "show up". He is King. He will show up as King. He will be worshipped as King.
ALPHA... Not Sweet Beta Jesus.
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