Let me share a perspective that might help us look at this differently.

You raise the example of the thief on the cross - it's a powerful story. But remember what Jesus was doing when that interaction happened: he was being executed by empire for challenging the systems of oppression and religious hypocrisy of his day. The thief recognized not just who Jesus was, but what he stood for.

Here's the thing - Jesus himself repeatedly redirected attention away from himself and toward his message about God's love and justice. When someone called him "good teacher," he said "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). When people wanted to make him king, he withdrew (John 6:15).

Even in John's Gospel, which most emphasizes Jesus's divine nature, he says "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do" (John 14:12). The point wasn't just believing in him, but following his way.

Think about it - would Jesus want us focusing on worshipping him, or on feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and working for justice like he did? I believe he'd want us doing what he taught, not just praising his name.

The question isn't whether Jesus matters - of course he does! The question is how best to honor him. And I believe we honor him most when we live out his teachings of radical love.

What do you think Jesus meant when he said "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father"?