Why is it hard to say "Jesus?" I'm not talking when you hit your hand with a hammer. I'm talking about a mature conversation, discussing what's important in your life.
I have friends who are Christians, and they usually say "Christ." I find that interesting. To actually say "I follow Jesus" seems to be harder to say than "I follow Christ."
Seems easier to say "Buddha". Or "Mohamed." Or "Christ." But to say Jesus, is to make people cringe. I can't think of any other name throughout history that has this effect on people. That certainly says something about Jesus.
Say "Jesus" and people think you're a nut? Say "Christ" and it makes it more okay? I'm just saying, it's interesting.
I think it might denominational too. In our church (Lutheran), we prefer to use Jesus and rarely use Christ unless it is with Jesus (i.e., Jesus Christ). For me, just using Christ reminds me of when people cuss and rather than using damn or worse, they say Christ. It makes me cringe when used in that context. Also, it reminds me of the John Lennon/Beatles song "The Ballad of John and Yoko". I like the beat but when I sing to it (in my car of course, not in public), I change the word when Lennon says it. I'm sure that he used it as disrespect to boast his idea that they were more popular than Jesus. Also, when people use his name in vain, I always say "He isn't here yet but is due any time" and they are taken aback and either give a nervous laugh or "huh"?
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