Jesus Used Technology

Did you know that Jesus utilized technology?  Now clearly he did not live stream the Sermon on the Mount, or post the Last Supper on Instagram, but nonetheless throughout his short time in earthly ministry he utilized the best means available to him as he presented the good news of the gospel to those around him.  

Mark 4 provides us with a great example of this as Jesus is teaching a crowd of people “by the sea.” As was often the case his teaching drew many people, so many that he could no longer stay by the sea and instead “got into a boat and sat in it on the sea.” Have you ever wondered why he might have done this?  While he may have just wanted a little elbow room (and let’s be honest, the body odor of a pressing crowd would have been plenty to warrant a retreat to sea), I would submit that his move was made with technological concerns in mind and not just because of any personal space invasion.  

The particular place referenced in Mark 4 was known as a natural amphitheater, one that when coupled with the amplification of Jesus’ voice across the water, allowed for many more to hear his message than if he was to be preaching from his original place on the shore.  Have you ever been to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater? Have you noticed how the seating slopes upward to maximize the available lines of sight and quality of sound seen and heard by those in the audience?  These are technological considerations that were just as helpful 2,000 years ago as they are today. The greatest message of good news to ever be spoken was done so by a carpenter utilizing technology.  

Over the past six weeks the global church has had to rely on more technology than ever before.  Congregations that would never have dreamed of being apart for so long are using a variety of technologies to allow individuals to continue worshipping together. Provided that technology does not distract or itself become an object of worship, there is much latitude in how different congregations can and should use the tools available to it. Ultimately, if Christ is being exalted, the technology used to do so is being successful.

— Tim Wilson