In light of the controversy surrounding the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, it must be pointed out at the onset that we live in a world that will mock Christianity, and it should come as no surprise to see things of this nature on display, and we should count these things as joy for our redemption draws near. Even so, it's repulsive, reprobate, and degenerate behavior, and those are some of the more gentle terms to label it with. This post is not directed towards atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, or anyone else for that matter that does not hold to a Christian ideology, only those that profess a life given to Christ.
We have been told it was not intended as a mockery of the Last Supper, yet French TV labeled it a "LEGENDARY Last Supper," and it has been apologized for as a parody of such. With that said, I do not worship the DaVinci painting, and Scripture is not clear on the seating arrangements of The Twelve, so this painting is based solely upon an Italian artist's supposition of what it looked like. Nevertheless, in Europe I would imagine that over 95% of people recognize the theme as being that of DaVinci's work. Globally, I would posit that at least 5 of the 8 billion people on the planet would recognize the arrangement as that, whereas maybe a few hundred million would recognize anything in reference to Dionysus. In the world of public displays, intention is far overshadowed by public perception. The public perception, in Europe especially, would be that it would be recognized better as the Last Supper, and the choreographer knew this well. Whether or not it was intended as sacrilege is beside the point when it comes to public displays. That's simply how it was perceived.
As a Christian, the excuse that they didn't intend it as that is not your pass to celebrate it or condone it--I can safely venture that you saw it as a flamboyant mockery of the Last Supper. Unfortunately, that was not enough to get most Christians to "shake the dust" and leave the rest of the Olympics with it.
At best, it was homage to pagan hedonism, and Greek culture did celebrate homosexuality, cross-dressing, incest, and pedophilia through literature and theatre, which is in-line with the display.
At worst, it was an intentional mockery of what many consider a sacred piece of art, depicting it in ways as diametrically opposed to the source material as they could imagine.
Either way, it should be absolutely reprehensible to anyone of Christian beliefs and morals.
We are too consumed by the circuses to let it go. We idolize sports and even more the Olympics too much. We cannot be offended enough to say it's enough.
If this wasn't the point in which you stand up and walk away, consider for a moment what it would take to get you to quit. Men parading around pretending to be hyper-sexualized women with children around them, imitating the best visual representation we have of the last meal Christ shared with His twelve closest disciples before being killed. So, what would it take? If not that, then what?
There are many parodies of Michelangelo's depiction of the Creation of Adam, and countless other parodies of the Last Supper, but none so flagrant, none so public, none so widespread in its reach. Again, in the world of public displays, perception is reality.
I must also remind myself that we live in a world where this should be expected. Sin is rampant, and perhaps growing worse. It will continue, and our fight is not against flesh and blood, these mortal coils are not our enemy, the spirit driving their souls to Hell is. We must first pray for these people that they would have a change of heart, from the actors all the way up to the directors.
Do not mistake this as an attack or hatred towards anyone, it is not that. It is the voicing of a grief in my soul over those who would claim to honor Christ by their words but would refuse to wrestle against a principality simply because they enjoy the sporting event it's introducing.
We also should not tolerate the behavior by allowing ourselves to support it, and adding watch/view counts to the organization as a whole does exactly that. Your TV, your DVR recording, your streaming, it all ends up in their pockets through advertising dollars.
So again, I must urge you to consider, what would it take to offend you enough to put aside your need to be entertained?
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord. (Pr. 17:15)
