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February 21-28, 2007

Pastor with 666 tattoo claims divinity

Warm-up Question:

Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be someone or something they weren't? Were you tempted to believe them? How did you find out they were phony?

  

61-year-old minister Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, a former heroin addict with multiple convictions for petty theft, claims angels visited him in a dream, and told him he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ the second coming of Christ—the “Jesus Christ Man.” And for the last 20 years he has been building a church in Miami, gathering followers and trying to become a major world religious movement. De Jesus also has the number 666 tattooed on his arm. He claims that the number, and the term "Antichrist," have both been misunderstood. He says that the Antichrist is the best person in the world, better than Jesus, because Jesus was not a Christian. The Antichrist is Christ after the resurrection—in other words, he is de Jesus. De Jesus’ followers also get 666 tattooed on their arms, and refer to de Jesus as Daddy.

The church, calling itself Growing in Grace doesn't keep records of membership, but his media representative says his ministry now has more than 300 education centers in more than 30 countries, and De Jesus’ weekly sermons are aired on more than 120 TV stations.

Many respected Christian leaders believe de Jesus is a con man, while others suspect he is actually crazy, and may lead his followers to do harm to themselves or others, like Jim Jones and David Koresh. Unfazed by the criticism, de Jesus continues to plan for the role he believes he is destined to play on the world's stage. “I will be president of the biggest government that this earth has experienced," promised de Jesus.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think de Jesus has managed to find so many followers? How is it that some people are so eager to believe him, to the point of giving him expensive gifts (jewelry, cars, money, etc), tattooing themselves, and proclaiming him to be God or the Antichrist?
  2. Do you think de Jesus is deliberately conning his followers (his church pays him $136,000 per year), that he is crazy and actually believes himself to be the reincarnation of Jesus, or what?
  3. Would you believe what de Jesus is saying about himself and God, and follow him? Why or why not? What would lead you to question or doubt him?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, February 25, 2007.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
The temptation of Jesus was an important part of his ministry, and an important part of Christianity as well. Jesus became fully human, in order to show us God’s love and die for our sins. But before he could die as a human, first he had to live as a human and experience all the things that we experience. And that included temptation. Jesus was tempted by the devil, just as we are. And just because he was the Son of God doesn't mean it was easy for him. He was weak and hungry, having not eaten anything for 40 days. And the things that the devil was offering did not necessarily seem wrong. He offered Jesus a chance to feed himself when he was hungry. He offered him an opportunity to prove, once and for all, to the entire world, that he was the promised Messiah. Or so it seemed. But publicity stunts were not part of God's plan. The devil wanted Jesus to use his power for selfish reasons. And Jesus resisted.

That’s why it was necessary for Jesus to be tempted. He had to go through the same things that we do. Jesus showed us that temptation can be recognized and resisted. Jesus responded to each temptation with a passage from scripture. Scripture acts as a guide for us, and helps us not only to find and know Christ, but to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Everything we need to know to live, worship, spread the Gospel, sort out questions, and resist temptation is in the Bible. The devil knows the scripture too though. He quoted a passage to Jesus to try to get him to leap from the temple roof. But Jesus, who had studied scripture from the time he was a young child, knew that the devil was twisting the passage to mean something different, and responded with a scripture quote of his own—knowing the true meaning of God’s Word.

We can equip ourselves in the same way as Jesus. Temptation takes on all forms, and many of them seem on the surface to be OK or even biblical. But if we study the Bible daily, learn the scripture, strive to understand God’s Word, write it in our hearts, and pray, we can better understand God’s will and desires for us, and better recognize temptation for what it is, just as Jesus did.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are some temptations that you face in your life? What scriptures can you use to recognize and resist them?
  2. Jesus was in the wilderness without food for 40 days! Why was it a sin to use his power to feed himself?
  3. How is the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness like Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda telling his followers he is the reincarnation of Jesus? What scriptures can help us avoid falling victim to deceptions like this? What or who else helps you sort out truth, problems, or questions?
  4. We can talk about all of this, but we’re not perfect. Sometimes we stumble, do things we know we shouldn’t, make mistakes, or make decisions that don’t turn out quite right. What then? What does God promise us?

Activity Suggestions

Make a list of scripture references, hymns, and contemporary songs that can help you understand and overcome temptation. Print them on a 3x5 card, and have it laminated, so you can carry it with you wherever you go, and have it when you need it.

  Closing Prayer
Jesus, be with me, and help me to overcome the temptations in my life, just as you did. May my heart be so filled with your love and mercy that there is no room for the devil’s lies. And when we stumble, we give thanks that you are there with us surrounding us with forgiveness, love, and the gift of new life. Amen
 

Contributed by Steven Alloway
Granada Hills, CA
 

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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