The opening acts made pot shots at the church and about Jesus. These bothered me, but I just said quick prayers for them and waited for the main act. For the most part, I was familiar with my friend’s comedy and settled in for a few chuckles... that is, until the topic went towards Christianity. At first, the jokes were mildly politically incorrect. Then, they became somewhat inappropriate.
There was a respite when I thought that line of thinking had ended. But when my friend made a statement that I felt was outright blasphemous... with the caveat: “And I’m keeping this in my act,” I couldn’t take any more. To make matters worse, a guy seated behind me shouted, “YEAH! KEEP IT IN YOUR ACT!”
At that point, I had to leave... noting the pained expression on the face of one of the employees of the venue. I imagine that “humor” struck that person the same way. Walking to my car, I prayed for those people... interceding on their behalf. I had witnessed first hand the animosity that the world has toward our Savior.
It made me wonder... why such outright animosity towards Jesus?
There were no jokes about Buddhists... or Hari Krishnas... or practitioners of Islam. Nothing was said that might offend practitioners of Judaism or even Scientology.
Nope...
This was a full-on assault against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Not just against Jesus... but against my Jesus. While driving home, I had to ask the Lord, why? Why are people so hostile against You?
I found a great article on the subject that was just recently published. You can read it at Bible Knowledge on the internet.
But here is a scripture that helped me understand this phenomenon (and may help you):
1BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.The world hates Jesus because the spirit of satan occupies the world... and satan hates God.
2By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source];
3And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.
4Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
5They proceed from the world and are of the world; therefore it is out of the world [its whole economy morally considered] that they speak, and the world listens (pays attention) to them.
1st John 4:1-5 [AMP]
The fallen angel formerly known as lucifer (light bearer) rebelled against God and received a colossal smack-down. He now awaits his eternal destiny in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone... and he wants to drag humanity down with him. One of his tricks is to accuse God of things in order to turn people away from God. The word h’satan translates into English from Hebrew as the accuser. The devil accuses God of all sorts of things and the world believes those lies.
You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.The world hates Jesus because He is the truth (John 14:6)... and satan, the god of this world, is the father of lies.
John 8:44 [AMP]
Jesus is the bearer of life... yet satan kills, steals and destroys (John 10:10). Rather than receive the high life that Jesus gives... people accept the low-life from that low life devil... and then blame God when their life turns out to royally suck.
The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.The world hates Jesus because Jesus denounces the world for its wicked works...
John 7:7 [AMP]
The world revels in evil works that are instigated by the devil. What does the devil tell people who need money? He may inspire them to knock someone over the head and take theirs. Or, kill them for a valuable item that will eventually rust or decompose. What does the devil tell a guy who wants sex? He may have the guy assault and rape a woman -- justifying that her revealing clothing made her deserve it. People think their crimes are right... and yet the word of God is considered as being wrong. These people are blinded.
For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.The world hates Jesus because satan has blinded their minds.
2nd Corinthians 4:4 [AMP]
In the words of that character portrayed by Jack Nicholson... YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH! The deceived people in the world can’t recognize the truth of Who Jesus is... the truth of what Jesus has done... and the truth of how Jesus can change their lives. What is simple logic to us is total nonsense to those who are blinded by the lies and deceptions of satan, the enemy of God.
And yet, it all comes down to choices. We can choose to reject God and accept the lies of the devil... or we can make the right choices. If we do so, we will find ourselves walking in the light of God and His immense love for us. Judypie gave us a bit of wisdom in that regard. Perhaps the meditation below might help you make those good and right choices in your life:
God sets before you life or death – the choice is yours. How do you choose life? By choosing to be spiritually minded, which is life and peace; to be carnally minded is death (Romans 8:6). You can choose to think like the world (carnally minded), or you can become God-inside-minded. Read and meditate on God’s Word, memorize and personalize Scripture, pray Scriptural prayers. Put God’s Word first. Choose life!
Father, You have set before me life and death, blessing and cursing. I come before You choosing life that I—and my children might live. I choose to love You, Lord my God, to obey You and to cling to You, for You are my life and the length of my days. Thank You for blessing me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I turn away from everything wrong, whether of body or spirit, and purify myself, living in the wholesome fear of God, and give myself to You alone. In the name of Jesus, I give Your Word first place in my daily life. Amen.
Hold your mouse over these scriptures:
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20
- Ephesians 1:3
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
One final thought. I was thinking about a song by Keith Green, “How Can They Live Without Jesus” where Keith makes a telling observation in part of the lyric:
So many laughing at JesusYes, while comedians and others get on stage and blaspheme the One who loves them... and people in the audience laugh and mock and jeer...
While the funniest thing that He’s done
Is love this whole stubborn rebellious world
While their hate for Him just goes on
While atheists say “there is no God” and yet they wantonly use His holy name as a curse... or just throw it around in vain... or connect it with a profanity...
While all of this continues, God’s agape loves goes on. He loves those who hate Him While the deceived people in this world continue to shake their fists skyward and spew venom... Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and continues to love them.
6While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.Those of us who are recipients of Christ’s love... and are ambassadors of the Gospel to this world... let us reflect that love towards them and pray them in... if we can.
7Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die.
8But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
Romans 5:6-8 [AMP]
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