The Unpopularity of Christ

As strange as it may seem, many people did not like Jesus. He was a kind man. He was a good man. He went around helping people, healing those who were sick, and encouraging those who were weak. Still, many people did not like Him.

Jesus explained His lack of popularity: "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

The people in Palestine at the time of Christ were extremely religious. One might expect them to welcome the Son of God. But those who appeared most religious were the very ones who rejected Him.

Jesus was unpopular for several reasons.

He opposed traditions of men that were contrary to the will of God.

People really love their traditions. They often love them more than the word of God.

Jewish religious life at the time of Christ was regulated by the Old Testament plus the writings of the rabbis. A careful distinction was made between inspired and uninspired writings. Yet, in practice, most of the rituals and regulations were based, not on the Scriptures, but on the traditions of men.

Jesus was unpopular with the religious leaders because He did not follow their traditions. He even said they were contrary to the word of God.

"Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?' He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: "This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.' And He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition'" (Mark 7:1-9).

This was true in the time of Isaiah. Jesus applied the statement to the people of His age. And unfortunately, the same is true today.

In general a careful distinction is made between the inspired Scriptures and the traditions of men. Yet, the religious lives of most people are governed not by the Scriptures, but by their traditions.

Churches are regulated by human creeds and catechisms. Each denomination writes and re-writes its own distinctive articles of faith. They do not claim inspiration for these creeds, yet they follow them more closely than the word of God.

Names are used that originate from some distinctive doctrine, from some form of organization, or from some leader of the past. The doctrine and preeminence of Christ are lost among the doctrines and traditions of men.

Most people worship God according to their own traditions rather than according to the Scriptures. Jesus said such worship is vain. It is worthless.

If we wish to be true followers of Christ, we must put aside our human traditions and follow only the word of God.

But many people love their traditions more than they love God's word. With such people, Christ is not really popular. A man may praise the Lord a thousand times with his lips, but if he is following the doctrines of men rather than the teaching of Christ, his worship is void.

Jesus was unpopular because He emphasized spiritual values and taught the vanity of material things.

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So He said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.' He said to Him, 'Which ones?' Jesus said, 'You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The young man said to Him, 'All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?' Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God'" (Matthew 19:16-24).

Here was a man who obeyed the ten commandments. But material wealth was the focus of his life, and it was hard for him to put his wealth aside and follow Christ.

Many people today, even though they are Christians, even though they attend church regularly, will be lost because their lives are founded on material things. They are so busy earning money that they have no time to give to those in need. The payments on their houses and cars are so high that they have nothing left to give to the Lord. They live in luxury but have no treasure stored up in heaven.

The apostle Matthew, also called Levi, was willing to leave his money to follow Christ: "And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and said to him, 'Follow Me.' And he arose and followed Him" (Mark 2:14).

One man wanted Jesus to help him get some money. Notice how Jesus responded.

"Then one from the crowd said to Him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.' But He said to him, 'Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?' But He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.' Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: 'The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?" So he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.'" But God said to him, "You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God'" (Luke 12:13-21).

Jesus would not fit into our modern society at all, would He? What a statement! "One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." It is obvious that Jesus never watched television!

Although the teaching of Christ runs counter to what most people think, He spoke the truth: "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

Nor is Jesus popular today on this point. Materially-minded men did not like Him then; they do not like Him now. They may pretend to serve Him, but it is hypocrisy.

Jesus wants us to dedicate our lives to doing good. We should help others and contribute something worthwhile to society. But many of us spend our time taking care only of ourselves, providing ourselves with as much material ease and luxury as possible, while others are in need. We must repent if we want to be true followers of the unpopular Christ.

Jesus was unpopular because He exposed the sinfulness of self-righteous men and called sinners to repentance.

Strangely enough, the Son of God was most disliked by the so-called righteous people of His time. He embarrassed the self-righteous, because He associated with sinners: with swindlers and prostitutes. When criticized for this He replied: "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Matthew 9:13).

Jesus was most popular with those who realized they needed forgiveness. He encouraged men to leave their sinful ways and to live new lives under His leadership.

Jesus condemned those who thought they were righteous, and they hated Him for it. "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men'" (Matthew 23:1-5).

Jesus evaluated men by their spiritual worth and not by their outward show of religion. How many churches and people today give an outward show of great godliness, but will have nothing to do with those who are lost in sin? They pray long prayers but will not reach out to help the poor and sinful: such are not their kind of people, they would not want to be seen in that part of town.

Christ associated with the lowly. If we want to be followers of Christ we must help the sinful and the poor.

Paul said that in times to come many people would only have an empty shell of religion, being corrupt and godless within. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Jesus was unpopular for various reasons.

He opposed traditions of men that were contrary to the will of God.

He emphasized spiritual values and taught the vanity of material things.

He exposed the sinfulness of self-righteous men and called sinners to repentance.

Jesus was unpopular in His day and with most people He is unpopular today. But we pray that you will make Him King of your life: take up your cross and follow Him. Free yourself from the traditions of men. Seek the kingdom of heaven first rather than material gain. Repent of your sins. Come to Christ for forgiveness and be His messenger to help others find the way. If you do this, you too will be unpopular with many. But you will please Christ and when He comes again He will accept you as His own.

Roy Davison


Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)