Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Global Outrage after Olympics Blaspheme Jesus and the Last Supper

The opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics mocked the sacred Last Supper of Jesus Christ with a blasphemous drag queen presentation, fueling global outrage that finally forced Olympics organizers to issue a partial apology.  

Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps claimed, “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group ... If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry.”

Christians around the world were stunned by the disturbing image of seeing a sexualized recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “The Last Supper” painting.  From the Speaker of the House to billionaire Elon Musk to evangelist Franklin Graham, condemnation was swift and severe.  Graham warned, “Even more than being disrespectful to Christians, I would be concerned about being disrespectful to God.  His Word tells us, ‘Be not deceived, God is not mocked’ (Galatians 6:7).  Whether you’re Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, or Protestant, it is offensive.”  SpaceX, Tesla and X owner Musk called it “extremely disrespectful to Christians.” House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-R) posted, “Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.  The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today.  But we know that truth and virtue will always prevail.  ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5).”  Even Christian Actress Candace Cameron Bure felt compelled to comment on the monumental mockery of the faith. “I didn’t really want to weigh in on the Olympics opening ceremony publicly because I always risk becoming a headline,” she said in an Instagram post.  “But it felt too important not to.”  “The Olympic Games have always brought me so much joy.  It’s the best of the best athletes in the world competing for the title,” she said.  “So to watch such an incredible and wonderful event that’s going to take place over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies completely blaspheme and mock the Christian faith with their interpretations of the Last Supper was disgusting.  And it made me so sad.”  But she went on to add a positive twist, sharing, “God loves each and every one of you and His desire is for you to know Him.  I won’t stop praying and calling on Jesus’ name.  Share the Gospel message.  Let this be an encouragement to be bold in your faith.  Let us rend our hearts back to God, father of Abraham.  Let us pray.  And pray for the Christian athletes to shine their light for the glory of God.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

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