I know this might ruffle some feathers, but please hear me out. Jesus warned us that persecution, hostility, slander, and mockery would come our way. So why is the church so tangled up in knots?

Herod adorned Jesus with a purple robe to mock His claim to kingship (Luke 23:11), the Roman soldiers also mocked Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and sarcastically hailing Him as “King of the Jews” (Mark 15:17–20). These actions aimed to humiliate and ridicule Jesus. Yet, despite the mockery and worse, Jesus never retaliated with offences, boycotts, or political rants. What profound spiritual lessons can we learn from Christ’s response to satire, ridicule, and derogatory portrayals of our faith?

Biblical Perspective: How to Respond to Paris, France, Mockery, and Blasphemy

In Matthew 5:11–12, Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” We ought to respond by rejoicing, yet we see quite the contrary.

I think the church as a whole needs a reality check. For instance, France has a long history of secularism. 300 years ago, the nation kicked God out. So what are we expecting—a baptism service in the Seine?

Fight the Real Enemy, Not Paris, France, Mockery

Remember, the Church doesn’t fight like the world does; we are not of this world, and our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Instead of reacting with outrage or claiming, “I am offended,” or “I feel disrespected,” we should remember that our battle is spiritual, not political. Just as Herod mocked Jesus by dressing Him in a purple robe to ridicule His claim to kingship. Jesus’ reaction to Herod’s slander and mockery is notable for its silence and composure. This holy silence should never be mistaken for submission or retreat. We too must recognize the true nature of our opposition. Jesus kept it spiritual, fought the real enemy, and triumphed.

Unless the church wants to lose its saltiness, she should not seek social validation or react worldly.  Instead, the correct response is to address the spiritual strong holds residing in France and systematically dismantle them.

Penetrate, Not Isolate: Responding to Paris, France, Mockery

If you stop watching the Olympics because of something you find offensive, you might need to burn your TV! LOL. The world is indeed full of anti-Christian sentiments and challenges. However, our role as Christians is to be a light in this darkness, not to retreat into isolation.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” If we don’t want to give the devil the upper hand in society, we can’t afford to shy away from everything that makes us uncomfortable.

How to Fight the Good Fight Against Paris, France, Mockery

France, like South Africa, is a secular state. What do you expect from a society that has rejected Christian values? Is God not offended or distressed by these events? Yet, Psalm 2:4 reminds us, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” God is sovereign and can use even blasphemy to fulfil His divine plan. He has the final say over all nations.

Let’s align ourselves with His perspective, act with the authority He has given us, and fight with the same resolve and grace that He demonstrated.

Conclusion

When faced with mockery and blasphemy, such as what unfolded during the Paris 2024 Olympics, it’s worth noting that Jesus handled ridicule with such grace—silent endurance and a laser focus on the real spiritual issues. While we might be tempted to respond with social media outrage or high-profile boycotts, Jesus’ approach was refreshingly simple: ignore the snide comments and get on with the real business at hand. So, instead of throwing tantrums or retreating into our comfort zones, let’s take the lessons from the pages of His book and shine as beacons of light, tackling spiritual battles with divine authority and a touch of grace.