"If Jesus came back today, and saw what was going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up"

Max von Sydow’s statement draws a stark and visceral image to express deep dismay at the way the teachings and legacy of Jesus have been appropriated or misrepresented in modern times. Referencing the hypothetical return of Jesus, the sentiment suggests that upon witnessing the actions, institutions, and perhaps hypocrisies perpetrated in his name, the historical figure at the heart of Christianity would be appalled to the point of physical sickness. The choice of the phrase “never stop throwing up” vividly communicates an overwhelming, continual revulsion rather than a brief moment of shock.

This conveys disappointment with how Jesus’ core messages, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love, are sometimes overshadowed by actions or rhetoric that are exclusionary, judgmental, or violent, all justified under the banner of faith. Throughout history and into the present day, various individuals, groups, or organizations have invoked the name of Jesus for purposes ranging from moral justification of contentious actions to the pursuit of political power. Such instances might include acts of intolerance, discrimination, and even warfare, carried out with purported religious sanction.

Von Sydow’s observation implicitly calls followers to self-reflection, encouraging an honest appraisal of whether their actions align with the foundational teachings of Christianity, or whether they have strayed so far as to cause pain and division in direct contradiction to what Jesus stood for. By channeling the hypothetical disgust Jesus might feel, the quote challenges believers to critically assess church practices, societal norms, and cultural interpretations fostered under the Christian label.

Ultimately, the statement serves as both a lament and a warning, a lament over the distortion of a message originally rooted in love, and a warning that without sincere adherence to those values, the legacy of Christianity may be tarnished by the very people who claim to uphold it.