"Meek. Mild. As if."

This image blew me away as soon as I saw it.

It was mentioned in a Harpers Magazine article, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. I clipped the image, and then got in touch with the Churches Advertising Network, in the UK, to try to get original posters. They were very accommodating and sent me a couple. Now I just have to convince Josiah to let me hang them up in our house (they're huge!).

This poster was part of an advertising campaign at Easter in 1999. I love it because it reminds me how radical Jesus' message is. "Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself." Deceptively simple words. The fact that Jesus included so many "outcasts" among his followers is also revolutionary. Tax collectors, women, gentiles, were all among those early followers of Jesus, a Jew. Just eating with them was against Jesus' upbringing. I think about that at communion sometimes.

Jesus was a Revolutionary - he turned everything upside down:

Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [The Beatitudes]