What Would Jesus Drive?

Rev. Paul A. Hughes

RALEIGH, N.C. Nov. 18, 2002 -- Word comes today of an ostensibly Christian environmental group that asks the ephemeral question, "What would Jesus drive?" an obvious play on the "What Would Jesus Do?" phenomenon.

"A Saab," quips one pundit, "because 'Jesus wept.'" Seriously, this bears some thought, since surely if Jesus were alive today, He would choose a theologically correct mode of transportation. If he drove a sports car or rode a motorcycle, how would he be perceived? What light would it cast on his message? In America, you ARE what you drive.

As the primary sourcebook for all things God, I immediately consulted the Bible for insight on this profound theological question. Jesus would never have owned a Park Avenue, Lincoln, or Cadillac, for He eschewed material wealth. Luxury cars have no currency in the coming Kingdom. He certainly would not have driven a Viper, having painted with reptilian connotations of hypocrisy and deception the Pharisees and Sadducees. He had every right, of course, to possess a Regal; but He had come to serve, not be served: He attained his Exaltation only after departing this Earth. The Galant or Cavalier would seem to appeal overmuch to human pride.

The Ram might do, since He was the Lamb of God; or the Pacifica, Accord, or Concorde, since He is the Prince of Peace. The Protegé would emphasize the mission of the Church to mentor disciples.

But in the end, the strongest theological ground must go to the Spirit; for it was by the Spirit Jesus ministered on this Earth, the Spirit that He "poured out on all flesh" in Acts Chapter 2, and the Spirit by which He intends that the Church continue to operate on this earth.

But even more clear, Biblically, is the Lord's intention to one day trade in his present vehicle for a new Milennia -- er, Millennium.