Thomas a’ Kempis wrote in the 15th century, “Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of his passion.” OK, Thomas’ theology was a dour brand of medieval Catholicism but the Jesus bug genuinely bit him. Seems we’ve forever got our lanterns out, looking for an honest person.

I’m skeptical of anyone who wears their Christianity on their sleeve. What are they selling? Since Constantine, Christianity has been used in the branding of just about every political scheme the Western world has been able to come up with. Things go better with Christ! But when you read the Jesus story, the folks he consistently goes after are those who use their religion as a political tool. Pharisee-ism: It’s not just for ancient temple worshippers anymore.

But to get back to what Thomas said (and if I can use a personal anecdote as a metaphor). My dad was a veteran of WWII. He wouldn’t talk about the war. He wouldn’t allow our mother to say much about what he’d done either. (Disallowing Mom anything was usually a useless gesture. But that’s another story.) So at his funeral, when Mom’s mostly observed obligation was completed, I was astonished to hear Dad had been highly decorated. He had been proud of his service and loved his country. But, knowing him as I did, I realized that the war’s experience overwhelmed him. He just couldn’t find the words. I think it’s this experience of being overwhelmed that Thomas is referring to when he writes of Jesus’ passion. God overwhelmed Jesus. So much so that the only way Christian theology can express it is by saying that Jesus IS God.

People who’ve been overwhelmed by God—even a little bit, like Ben and Anna Wyse— rarely wear their Christianity on their sleeves. They tend to speak softly about it. Live their lives through it. They may be eager to share if you’re interested but they don’t want to overwhelm you.

Frankly, if Jesus ran for office, he’d never get elected. We want our candidates to make us feel warm and fuzzy, suck up to us, hate the things we hate, be one of us. They wear the “J” brand the way they think those they’re trying to sell do. It’s a comfy, self-righteous place to be.

But the real Jesus would overwhelm us.