You know the story. Joseph is engaged to be married to Mary. Engagement has the same legal status as marriage. When Mary informs Joseph that she is pregnant he wants to divorce her quietly. Because betrothal is legally binding, Mary could have been charged with adultery and stoned. Joseph is a righteous man and does not want this to happen. As he contemplates the best course of action, he is told in a dream to marry Mary. The child is to be named “Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew says that this is to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23)

So . . . if God is with us. . ., why do we worship so many other gods?

Before you shake your head, at least think about the question. Where do we place our loyalties and priorities? Sports figures. Entertainment celebrities. Political leaders. We often give blind allegiance to human beings at the expense of allegiance to God. When we bend the knee in obeisance to a human being we turn our back on the Divine.

There are well-meaning people who would like to see the Ten Commandments posted in school rooms and on the walls of public buildings. Okay. But before you post them, at least take the time to read them.

The first of the commandments says, “you shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) Anything or anyone to whom we pledge unquestioning obedience is our god. It may be a celebrity in our favorite sport, movies, tv, or politics. But, if that person who is a mere human being, demands and receives unquestioning loyalty he or she is opposed to the living God.

The word of God is crystal clear, not only shall you have no other gods, you shall not make an idol in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath. Be careful your motivation in building statues and naming buildings.

As a nation we have a problem. We have elevated political leaders and celebrities to God-like status. God promises to punish children to the third and fourth generation for the sin of their parents. “But showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:4-6). There are long-term consequences for the idolatry of worshipping our quasi-gods. There are long-term blessings for faithfully worshipping the one true God.

I am not a big fan of the saying “What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD). While it may be challenging to some it is inadequate and shows inadequate biblical understanding. We don’t need to ask what Jesus would do. The gospels allow us to see into the mind and heart of Jesus and therefore we can know what Jesus would do. We know how Jesus treated “the least of these.” We know how Jesus treated the poor, the marginalized, those considered sinners, women, and children.

Folks, just because our Demi -god hero tells us something is true doesn’t make it so. It is idolatry to elevate a human being to infallible status. God belongs on the throne of our lives-not a human being. Test the words, actions, and intentions of those to whom you grant divine status.

There is only one God. God with us in the person of Jesus the Christ.