To the Complaining Christian about the Red Cup

Dear Brother and or Sister Complaining about the Starbucks Red Cup,

So, I guess it bothers you that the Starbucks cups are plain red instead of snowflakes and or Christmas ornaments. You are complaining that people are trying to take Jesus out of the season. I would not be truthful if I admitted that I wish everyone knew Jesus and knew the reason for the season. However, they do not and by complaining about a red cup we are doing NOTHING to further the gospel of Christ. Now, I am aware that this has been blogged about and all over social media but perhaps we need to focus on Jesus and not the red cup. 

Let us take a look at John 19:17-37
Now read Luke 23:32-49
And Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:45
Go ahead and take the time to read these accounts.

John 19:26, "Woman, behold your son."
John 19:27, "Behold, your mother."
John 19:28, "I am thirsty."
John 19:30, "It is finished." 
Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing?"
Luke 23:43, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:46, "Father, Into your hands I commit my Spirit."
Mark 15:34 and Matthew 27:45, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"

These are the sayings of Jesus from the cross. The only one that comes remotely close to a complaint would be the last one I listed above, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" However, this was "not Jesus questioning God but He was quoting Psalm 22- a deep expression of anguish he felt when he took on the sins of the world, which caused Him separation from the Father. He was in physical anguish but the spiritual anguish is what Jesus thought to be worse" [1]. As people were mocking Him, He asked "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing?" Instead of complaining that they were being mean He asked the Father to forgive them... Shouldn't we be doing the same? When someone mocks our faith, we should not be complaining but pleading in prayer for the Father to forgive them and interceding on their behalf. And He asked for a drink... he didn't ask for the suffering to be stopped. He didn't ask for much. He simply stated a physical need. This in no way compares to needing decorations on a cup. He never once complained about the unfairness or anything close to that. WHY WOULD WE THINK IT IS OKAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A PLAIN RED CUP? 

My life verse is Philippians 1:27, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." I love this verse because it makes me stop and focus on Jesus instead of the Earthly situation that I am facing. The only time Jesus got mad or complained was when people would stop others from coming to Him or stop others from being able to worship fully (Matthew 21:12-17). Jesus literally flipped tables over because sales men were blocking the only entrance the "weak" could use to get close to the House of God. He did not flip tables because of people mocking Him or trying to persecute Him but because they were stopping others from knowing God more. This should speak volumes to us on what kind of things we should be fight against. 

A red cup with a snowflake or Christmas decor does nothing to give the Gospel. It is our job to be faithful to the witness call in Acts 1:8. It is our job to spread the Gospel not a throw away red cup. Go Share Jesus this Season Not Complaints. 

References 

[1] The Lockman Foundation. Life Application Study Bible, New American Standard Bible- Updated Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
 
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