“We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Cor 1:23). I want to ask you a question. When the real Jesus was on earth and people met Him, how did they respond? Thankfully, some bowed before Him in adoration. Think of the cleansed Samaritan leper, or the repentant thief, or Thomas as he looked at Calvary’s war wounds. Others were terrified. Recall the demons called Legion, or the ruffians who came to arrest Him, driven back by the mere mention of His “I Am!” Still others were enflamed with hatred. They took up stones to stone Him. The crowd cried, “Crucify!” The high priest tore His garments. Was there any evidence that some merely tolerated Him, or expressed mild approval? Finding these pallid responses so common today, is it possible that we are not actually introducing our generation to the real Jesus after all? Should we not declare His own words, rather than paraphrasing the transforming power right out of what He said? —J.B.N.