Never Popular, Always Wonderful

Christ's followers (and I'm glad to be one of them) love Jesus deeply.

However, there's a popular misunderstanding that needs to be corrected: Jesus isn't popular.

When His brothers mocked him, Jesus said, "The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil."(1)

People sometimes claim that Jesus is mostly upset with hypocrites. Not true. Jesus rebukes sin wherever He finds it.(2)

The real Jesus demands repentance, self-denial, and obedience.(1)

If we're genuine followers, we've counted the cost, we know we'll be hated, and we've promised to turn from our sins  (Luke 14:25-33; Matthew 10:22; John 15:18; 1 John 3:6).

We follow Jesus gladly because He's the only way, truth, and life. He's our ultimate joy, our Good Shepherd, our Redeemer, the giver of peace and abundant life (John 14:6; John 10:10-11; Ephesians 2:14).

Jesus never has been and never will be popular with the world.

But He always has been and always will be wonderful!
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(1) John 7:7 and these other passages refute this soft view of Jesus: Matthew 7:21; Matthew 10:33-38; Matthew 12:50; Matthew 18:3; Luke 6:46; John 2:15-16.
(2) Jesus hates hypocrisy, especially because hypocritical religious leaders are "blind guides" who mislead others (Matthew 15:14). But it's wrong to think Jesus hates hypocrisy more than all other sins. It's also wrong to claim that Jesus "hung out" with sinners. Jesus spent time with sinners, but He always shared the gospel and called them to repentance when He did. He "hung out" with His twelve disciples. Jesus is never soft on sin. In fact, He even rebukes His followers when they sin (Revelation 3:19).
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