Let me just preface this by saying that I am not watching the Olympics coverage on television this year. That is not in protest of anything, nor does it reflect a keen disinterest in sports or in global events. My husband and I simply do not watch television. But I do spend time on the internet, and I follow news there. So it was with great sadness that I learned of the controversy about the opening night ceremonies and the tableau that seemed to mock “The Last Supper.” It has been with equal sadness that I have watched the angry and offended responses from Christians. I do not mean to say that the tableau was not offensive. I found it ugly. And I think it would have been both shocking and offensive to have seen it in the midst of all the other celebration.

Many of the organizers and presenters of the Opening Ceremonies have made public statements claiming that they either didn’t realize this would be offensive to many, or they didn’t mean it to be offensive. I find this difficult to believe. If the planners, organizers, participants, and crew had absolutely no idea that their tableau had any resemblance to “The Last Supper,” they I would suggest that they are woefully ignorant of European Art and Culture, or they are perhaps unaware of the number of Christians around the world. Yet some of them claim that ignorance/intolerance belong only to those who found their display offensive. They say that their only objective was to pay tribute to the ancient gods of Olympus, for whom the Olympic games are named. They claim that any resemblance to DaVinci’s mural of “The Last Supper,” or any allusion to Christianity were unintended. But they appear to be quite pleased with the furor and controversy.

While I did not see this happen in context, I do have some thoughts on the aftermath of what I have seen this week.

First, I think that Christians, while we should be offended by this display, should perhaps NOT be shocked. We live in a post-Christian, post-religious Western World. The world, especially the Western World, thrives on divisiveness, controversy, and the “shock factor” in entertainment. The tableau that was presented wasn’t just offensive to Christians (though we were likely the primary targets). It was, in its own way, offensive to the ancient Greeks, and to the spirit of the Olympic games. The Olympics are not about Bacchanalian debaucheries, orgies, or feasts of any kind. Nor are the Modern Olympics about the gods of Ancient Greece– not in the way that the Ancient Olympics were. The Modern Olympics are meant to be inclusive to every participating nation and qualifying athlete. The opening ceremonies are traditionally meant to celebrate both the shared heritage and spirit of competition among athletes, and the unique culture of the host country. This display did neither. And the organizers had to have known that. Whatever their real reasons for including this cartoonish and puerile tableau, they had nothing to do with bringing people from all nations and cultures together, or with celebrating the highlights of French culture.

Having said all that, I am somewhat disappointed in the angry responses I see from Christians. We are reacting as though Christ promised us that we would always be respected, welcomed, and esteemed. Yet we serve a CRUCIFIED Savior! How are anger, boycotts, protests, and demonstrations showing honor to Jesus or bringing glory to God? What makes us think that reacting in anger and “playing the victim” will change the minds or hearts of those who created this mess? I believe that is precisely their “point.” They see themselves as victims of God’s righteous laws, and they are reacting TO HIM in anger and rebellion. To see US react in the same way makes them feel justified in their own anger. We live in a culture of outrage– it is our job to rise above the temptation to add to the general outrage. Jesus did not lash out as He was being whipped, taunted, and nailed to His Cross. He prayed for His tormentors, instead.

And that brings me to my final point. I think we need– especially in light of these events– to be praying for the Paris Olympics. Pray for the safety of all the athletes. Pray especially for those athletes who are being booed, taunted, and threatened because of their home country, or their religious beliefs. Pray for those who are standing up for what is right, and pray for the hearts of those who are acting in evil, anger, hurt, and deception. Pray that the spirits of division and hatred will NOT hijack this world event, as they have in the past. Pray that Christians will come together to react and to reach out as Jesus Himself did– speaking the truth in love. We do not have to embrace, condone, or accept what is evil. But we must stand firm in the armor of God, rather than attack with the enemy’s weapons!

Remember, we are to run OUR race:

^24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
^26-27 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.–1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)

What happened in Paris last week was offensive and wrong. What we do this week needs to reflect what is right and God-affirming. We don’t need to be silent. We don’t need to be victims. We don’t need to be outraged. We don’t need to be protesting. We need to be praying.