On December 24th 1989 Rolfe Neill wrote a article in “The Charlotte Observer” asking what Jesus would do if he came to Charlotte on Christmas. I thought it was an interesting article back then so I cut it out and kept it. I recently found it and it got me thinking about if Jesus would ever visit Greenville what would his schedule be. Rolfe’s article was pretty dated with references to Jim Bakker, Phil Donahue, Johnny Carson. I really didn’t want to explain to some 20 year old with skinny jeans so I thought I would modernize it and add my own thoughts of what I think he would do. First of all, I am a believer in Jesus and claim to know him. Heck, I am a old ex-Episcopalian and that is a church started by a man who had six wives, so forgiveness goes without saying.

I have my own thoughts on Jesus. I have read the “red words” in the New Testament and as I said, I am a believer. I always wondered what question I would ask Jesus if I had the chance. I guess my first question to him would be Neil Diamond, Cher, Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan? Really? Jesus can you possibly explain that? Please tell me.

I don’t think Jesus would ever say the opening prayer at a Swamp Rabbit game. (Greenville Hockey Team)

I truly think he would be blackballed at most Greenville country clubs. I barely got in some of them.

I think Jesus would stare in stupefaction at all the churches or Baptadome’s or Repentagon’s or campuses as they are called now that are erected in his Father’s name here in Greenville and instead go to a all night chapel and pray alone.

I think he would drop coins in the Salvation Army bucket and spend the night at The Salvation Army.

He would probably ride a bus and not drive a Lamborghini.

I don’t think he would ever take Jennifer Garner’s place in those crappy Capital One commercials.

I think he would go to Perry Correctional and spend time with the inmates.

I think he would go by the Humane Society and pet a dog and wonder why he created a cat………. I mean hold a cat.

I think he would wonder how most church-related colleges justify the claim to themselves.

I think he would visit Carolina Retirement Center and empty the bedpans of the elderly.

He would tell children to obey their parents and husbands and wives to love one another.

He would thank the Gideons for enriching every hotel room in Greenville

I think Jesus would tell Dabo that he better enjoy this run because it won’t last forever.

Just for kicks and giggles he would switch he skin of all black and white people.

He would see that Greenville County leads South Carolina in sex trafficking and wonder why the county, churches and businesses aren’t trying to do more.

I think on Christmas morning he would eat breakfast under the Hollis Bridge and dine with the homeless there. In the afternoon he would spend time at “Home With A Heart” talking with recovering alcoholics and their families. I think he would spend the night at Shepherd’s Gate assisting battered women.

I think he would ask why we waste so much food and thank Loaves and Fishes for helping eliminate waste in Greenville County.

I think Jesus would Spotify Mahalia Jackson and Andre Crouch.

He would visit the Falls Park and feed the birds from his hand.

I think Jesus would scorn many of the sermons preached this day in Greenville in his name and ask whatever happened to the social gospel? How did prosperity religion supplant Jesus teaching? When did the moneychangers regain possession of the temple?

And finally, I think he would look at Greenville as well as all America and see the country that was founded on Christian principles and wonder what has happened. He would probably say that I didn’t make it that hard. All I said was follow these greatest commandments. “Love your God with all your heart and secondly, love your neighbor as you would yourself. ” Jesus would probably say that you are failing miserably.