Coming Out with Jesus
Now as [Jesus] was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen. – Luke 19:37 (NRSVUE)
I have come out hundreds, maybe thousands, of times in my life with various identities. Most moments were forgettable, but one stands out from the rest.
When I came out as nonbinary to a teenage cousin, he grinned and proclaimed, “Trans rights are human rights!” Then he told me it was a big deal to come out, and he was proud of me. His reaction gave me the courage to keep showing up as my authentic self long after our conversation was over.
When Jesus paraded into Jerusalem, it was his big coming out into his final days of public ministry. He had come out before—as a healer, a storyteller, and a prophet—but this time was different. This time he was coming out as one who was willing to stand up against the authorities, and risk everything, even his life, for what he believed.
Could he have done that on his own? Sure, he’s Jesus. But instead of walking the streets alone, he was received by people who believed in him. In a moment laced with fear, they surrounded him with joyful shouts, reminding him—and them, and anyone listening in—that this moment was a big deal. They were proud of him.
Jesus was the one who came out that day, but what a difference it must have made to be witnessed by his friends, to be fully seen and known, to be carried to the next chapter with their embodied joy.
Prayer
May coming out lead us to praise God with joy every single time.
About the AuthorEllis Miller serves as the Designated Pastor of Granby Congregational Church, UCC and is the author of Only Work Sundays: A Laidback Guide to Doing Less while Helping Your Church Thrive.