“The greatest question in all of human life is summed up when we ask, ‘What would Jesus do?’ if, as we ask it, we also try to answer it from a growth in knowledge of Jesus himself.” –Charles M. Sheldon (1896) 

I’m sure you’ve heard the question, What Would Jesus Do? Perhaps you’re aware that it originated in Charles M. Sheldon’s 1896 book, “In His Steps.” You’re likely familiar with it from the phenomenon in the 1990s that started after one youth group leader in Michigan came up with WWJD as a helpful reminder for her kids. Those four letters ended up on bracelets that swept the globe. Many good things come from asking that question. Keep asking it. I’d like to offer two thoughts to go along with it, too.

I’ve found that sometimes, when people ask WWJD, they inadvertently morph the question into, “What does my interpretation of the New Testament tell me to do?”, which moves the focus of the question from Jesus as the center. It’s good for us to remember that, as Lutherans, we use Jesus himself as the lens through which we interpret all Scripture. In other words, if our answer to WWJD sounds more like the answer to “What Would Paul in Ephesus Do?”, it’s probably a good idea to recenter the person of Jesus and ask again.

The other thing I’m inviting you to think about when asking WWJD is that Jesus is already fully present within you; you don’t have to approach the question as a “test” of some kind that Jesus is watching from outside of you. I think this distinction is really important, because just asking WWJD can put us in the position of first, having to figure out what Jesus would do, and second, making ourselves do it. And sometimes we just can’t.

We’ve talked a lot here along this Emmaus Way about the truth of God’s presence already fully dwelling within us. So maybe, in addition to asking WWJD, we can ask, “Jesus, how are you already responding within me to this situation?”, then practice saying Yes to that. I truly believe this nuance is important, because if transformation into Christlikeness means our lives begin looking more and more like they would if Jesus were living them, this shift could be one way to help us move in that direction.

So yes, keep asking WWJD. And also remember that we don’t have to conjure the right response to any situation from ourselves. Jesus is already fully present within us, already doing what’s right and good and loving. Let’s practice saying Yes to him within us, and walk in transformation together.

– Lori Duncan