There’s a little bit of (very cleverly manufactured) outrage over this new ad promoting organ donation. The concept is quite cute: the soldiers crucifying Jesus ask him whether he’d consider being a donor. It’s a little confrontational, as the soldier himself acknowledges…
We get it, no-one wants to talk about death…
So how should Christians respond? Let’s hold back the outrage. Like everything else this is an opportunity to talk about Jesus, especially when he’s the central character here. Newsflash: unlike most people, Christians do want to talk about death!
The producer of the ad says the following as he’s interviewed by the Breakfast TV hosts in the clip above:
…the whole intent of this is to look at what Jesus would do if he was alive in 2018. And seeing religion is all about being selfless, this is the most selfless act anyone could do…
No, not quite. There is something more. In death don’t just donate your organs to the cause, donate your whole self…
Col. 1:22 But now [God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
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Heb. 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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1Pet. 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
The reason Christians (in particular) are known for being selfless is that we seek to follow the selfless giving by Jesus of his whole self, not just his liver, heart and corneas. He willingly donated his whole self to save us, to bring us forgiveness for all that we’ve ever done or will do wrong.
Oh, and he was powerfully raised again after that death with a brand new body (1Cor. 15:42), just as we will also be one day (Phil. 3:21). All of which means (I humbly suggest) my current body and yours can be used for something else once we’re gone. In the meantime, let’s get on with talking about Jesus’ whole-body donation. This ad can only surely help us do that.
The reason why recycling body parts appears problematical from a Christian perspective is that it is based on a Godless utilitarian ethic. That is just one reason why this advertisement is blasphemous. So I don’t think we can hold back the outrage.
In Christian thought, the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit: “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are not our own in life, or in death. That is not to say that there is a prohibition against organ donation, but the assumption that we may be led in Christian ethics by advances in medical technology is naive. The corruptibility of the body is irrelevant.
Very good point David.
And yes, it is a good basis to talk about the gospel!
I read this very carefully and I am so pleased you interpreted the film for what it is. Our anger and outrage is not needed. Our understanding of the suffering of those waiting on the organ donor lists is what counts. I sincerely appreciate your wise words. And hope you can convince others who share your spiritual beliefs. – richard Bullock