The Unpopular JesusSample

If we can have a good time singing in church and everything is in agreement with the way I grew up, it's fine, but if someone raises his hands in the air, wants to sing a song in another language, preaches without a tie, there is a strong focus on missions, or the Lord calls us to give financially or physically go to a mission field ourselves, it's no longer fun, and it offends us. And all of a sudden, Jesus isn't so popular anymore.

It is popular when the Bible teaches that our husbands are to love us, but it is very unpopular when the same Bible teaches that we should be submissive and obedient to our husbands because it asks us to die to ourselves. It is not popular when the Word tells husbands to love their wives so much that they will be willing to die for them (Ephesians. 5:21-25). It is good and pleasant when others forgive me for what I have done wrong, but it is less acceptable when Jesus expects me to forgive the same person who torments and inconveniences me every day up to seventy times seven. It's wonderful to follow Jesus, but it's unacceptable when He asks me to take up my cross and follow Him. The cross always offends and leads to a bloody, painful death. This makes Jesus unpopular.

When Jesus answers our prayers, gives us life abundantly (John 10:10b), provides food, clothing, work, and a good position, and does justice to us, He is popular. When we get a pay raise, buy a beach house, afford a second car, and perform well with our children, Jesus is popular. When others honour us, admire our gifts, promote us, receive beautiful gifts, and appreciate us for what we do, Jesus is popular.

We admit that we have flaws but are offended when they are called sin. We wrap sin in beautiful words. Fornication became cohabitation. Fraud has become business acumen. Lies and white lies have become sales techniques. What Scripture calls pride is, in the eyes of the world, a good self-image. When my ego hurts, and I'm full of self-pity, I blame others for it. When sin is mentioned by name, Christ becomes unpopular.