Neo-Christ and The Gospel as Comedy

The reading from E.J. Park really tied in with themes presented in The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Times before, after and during Jesus were tense politically. There were scattered attempts for a rebellion from zealots, and the Jews were expecting a warrior to come and save them from persecution. When the Messiah finally did come, he was placed in a manger in a barn. He did not start a rebellion, instead he said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." Frederick Buechner points out the comedy of it all, as well, in his book. The Son of God died on a criminal's cross for all of us wretched people because He loves us and wants a relationship with us. If that isn't the funniest joke I have ever heard, I don't know what is. However, just like a fairy tale, it is too good, too wonderful, not to be true. So would we rather have a Savior who kicks butt and goes out in a bloody fight? Probably. What we get instead, though, is so much more wonderful. Who is to say that what we can imagine and want is better than reality, anyway?