What Happened To Jesus In America?
Scriptures: John 15:12-13; John 8:3-11; Matthew 6:19-21; 7:21-23
Introduction
This morning I want to awaken your spirits by asking you this question: "What has happened to Jesus in America?" I am really puzzled and perplexed by what I am seeing and hearing in a nation where a large number of people claim to be a Christian. Being a Christian means that the individual has accepted Christ in their life and are trying to live as He has shown us through His life example. Yet as I look at what is going on in our nation, I find myself wondering how this can be true. How can we, the enlightened ones, say and do some of the things we say and do "in the name of Jesus"? It is almost as if Jesus is not saying anything and we are left to speak for Him with words that He may never have utilized or approved of. How can this be?
What has happened to Jesus in America? Do you know? Have you thought about it recently? I have been thinking about it and I think I know the answer. I think that Jesus has been kidnapped. Webster defines kidnap as "to seize and hold by force or fraud, as for ransom." I believe that this is what has happened to Jesus in America. This is the only reason that could explain what is happening. Jesus has been kidnapped and therefore those of us who believe in Him are left to figure things out on our own. When you think about what is going on, this can be the only answer that makes sense. Jesus is being hidden and others are speaking things that they want the world to believe is coming from Him.
Have you ever watched TV and seen what happens when someone is kidnapped? There are several things that take place. First the kidnappers forcibly take the person and hide them so that others cannot find them. Next, they demand something (money or other resolutions) in order to deliver the person back home safely. While the kidnappers have the person, someone always steps up to the plate and begins to speak on behalf of the victim and sometimes "in place" of the victim. After all, decisions must still be made in the kidnapped person’s absence. Sometimes the person who begins to speak for the kidnapped victim begins to drive their own agenda as if it the kidnapped person would do the same thing if they were present. Based on my understanding of how some of these situations happened, I am convinced that Jesus has been kidnapped. And if I am correct, we must find out where He is and fight for His release before we are all so messed up with false doctrines that we will not be able to recognize Him.
I. Proof of Jesus’ Kidnapping
Let’s start from the beginning. Remember when someone is kidnapped it is first known because they go missing? Well, Jesus is obviously missing. If Jesus had not been kidnapped, people would be able to find Him. There are many people looking for Jesus and everywhere they look He is not there. They go to the Church, He is not there. They go to the hospitals, they do not find Him there. They go to the homes of Christians and they do not find Him there. They go on the internet and although they see a lot of references to Him, they still do not find Him. If Jesus cannot be found in the Church, homes, hospitals or the internet where you can find anything, He must be kidnapped. The reason I am saying kidnapped is because Jesus would never, EVER disappear on His own. He would not go on vacation or turn off His phone or reject anyone seeking Him. If people are seeking Him and they cannot find Him, He must have been kidnapped. Okay, that is the first reason I believe this. Now the second and probably most convincing reason.
Based on what I have seen on TV and read about in the newspaper and books, when someone is kidnapped the next step is that the kidnappers will ask for something in order for the person to be returned home safely. Well in Jesus case, people are asking for change. In order for the kidnappers to return Jesus, they must see change. If there is no change in the way people are living or acting, Jesus will not be returned and in turn everyone will continue to suffer. So in order for the kidnappers to release Jesus, everyone must turn from their wicked ways and start to believe in Him. Now this would be great except there is another group of people who also claims to be the ones behind the kidnapping. They actually say they took the person "impersonating" Jesus because truly the man never existed. So what they kidnapped was an image, not the real person. The reason? So that those who chose to follow Him would wake up and see the truth that He never existed. Well of course we do not believe those "supposedly" kidnappers, but we must take the other ones very seriously. So we see that people are looking for Him and cannot find Him and those who claim to have Him are demanding something – a ransom if you will. But that is not enough evidence of the kidnapping. The final proof is very compelling. Remember on TV when someone has been kidnapped the person standing in for them begins to speak for them? Remember sometimes how these people take the opportunity to drive their own agendas? Well we are about to examine some quotes from some individuals claiming to speak for Jesus.
Some people who are very close to Jesus say that He embodies kindness, love, decency and compassion. There are many Scriptures that support their belief (which I also believe). For example, consider what Jesus said in John 15:12-13; "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." Doesn’t this sound like a guy who is full of love, kindness and compassion? Well these same people who are close to Jesus and claim to be speaking for Him in His absence also says that while He is full of love, kindness and compassion He hates the gays, lesbians and Muslims. And, He is not too crazy about the blacks, the Hispanics, the Buddhists, Hindus and all of the rest of those folks whose race and religion are wrong. Oh, I almost forgot, the Jews. He does not hate them per se, but He will tolerate them if He has to. I know you may think I am exaggerating, but I am not. Less that sixty years ago there was a group of God-fearing, so-called Christian individuals who took joy in killing blacks and other non-whites in the name of God. If you have been watching the news for the past few weeks, you know that the Church burnings have started up again in Alabama. Most of these Churches had predominantly black congregations. It is almost like history is repeating itself. Anyway, some who are speaking for Jesus is saying that He is a hater. What do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus hates gays, lesbians and Muslims? Does He hate the sin and the person? Does He hate those who do not accept Him? I do not think this is the case based on what I have read in His Word. But let me move on.
Consider this statement by another person who was speaking on behalf of Jesus. A Pastor based in Topeka, Kansas said the following "Aids cures fags." I went to the Church’s website and there is a lot of hatred on the sight. Understand, I think homosexual activity as well as any type of pre-marital sex is a sin, but I also think that hatred is an even greater sin because it blocks our ability to minister love to those caught up in sin. We can hate the sin without hating the person. The words that this individual speaks on behalf of Christ are questionable at best. While I understand his desire to take a stand against sin, I do not think Jesus approves of his tactics. Jesus allowed people the opportunity to repent and He never immediately condemned anyone. Jesus would never be caught picketing a fallen soldier’s funeral saying that their death was justified because of the sin in America, especially the sin of homosexuality. Remember the story of the woman caught in adultery? When they brought her to Jesus they were ready to stone her. Remember what Jesus said to the crowd? When they quoted the Law of Moses about the woman being put to death, they pressed Jesus about His opinion in hope of trapping Him. Jesus began to write on the ground and finally He said these words: "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7b Jesus made it simple for the people to quickly decide if they were worthy of condemning this woman to death. After He made this statement, those accusing the woman evaluated their own lives (and sin) and quietly left her in Jesus presence alone. When Jesus looked up and saw that everyone had departed, He told the woman "I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more." John 8:11 Although He could have rightly condemned her, He chose not to in order to save her. Imagine her commitment to Jesus after He saved her life. How we approach individuals makes all of the difference as to whether or not they find Jesus within us. Please understand that I am not saying we should have an acceptance attitude for sin, but what I am saying is that in our desire to help the one caught in sin, we cannot shut the door to them receiving from us because they see condemnation within our eyes. We may be the only person able to reach that person for Christ. We cannot afford to condemn, but we can afford to reach out in love and compassion for every man.
This next quote comes from a man who was highly regarded as a spiritual leader in America. Bro. Pat Robertson said that it would be a good idea "if the United States killed the president of Venezuela. It would be a lot cheaper than starting another war." Now this is an individual whom millions of people watch weekly on TV and respect as a Christian leader who speaks for Jesus. Imagine what would have happened if Jesus walked around telling His disciples and those who followed Him that they should be out killing the religious and political leaders who opposed Him? That is what many thought Jesus would be about, yet He wasn’t about that at all. Jesus was about doing His Father’s business which did not include killing people who did not agree with Him or His teachings. Jesus taught love, forgiveness and patience for those seeking Him as well as for those who "found" Him. Yet today we have the opposite being taught as many individuals stand in the gap for Jesus since He has obviously been kidnapped.
As you have listened to me thus far, I know that some of you have been thinking that Jesus has not been kidnapped and you know exactly where He is, in heaven sitting next to His Father being an advocate for each of us. If this is what you were thinking, you would be partially correct. Yes Jesus is in heaven and yes He is sitting beside His Father being an advocate for all of mankind, but that is not all. Everyone who calls themselves a Christian will tell you that Jesus lives within them. So the truth be told, Jesus has not been kidnapped in the normal sense of the word, but He is being suppressed within some of us as individuals. Remember the definition of kidnap from Webster’s dictionary? Let me remind you, "to seize and hold by force or fraud, as for ransom." Jesus is where He is supposed to be, the problem is that we are holding Him captive within our hearts.
In the examples that I gave you, each of those individuals truly believe that they were speaking what was right. One believed he was speaking on behalf of Jesus although his words were filled with hate. Another did not say he was speaking as a Christian, but the fact that he holds the position that he does makes it impossible for anyone to separate him the person from him the religious leader. So, whenever he speaks, irregardless of the subject, he will be seen as speaking as a man of God. And if he says things such as he stated when he said we should kill another country’s President, people will not only blame him, but anyone who follows his ministry thinking everyone who supports him believes as he does. Jesus is supposed to be living in our hearts. He is supposed to reign, to control, to have access to our core being as we are shaped into His image. But when we begin to listen to what some people say, what is in their heart can confused even the most experienced Christian.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." In these two verses Jesus speaks of the treasures we collect. But what I want you to notice is what He says about our hearts. He said that wherever our treasures are, that is where our hearts will be also. Do you treasure Jesus? Is He something that you value above all else so that He is such a treasure to you that your heart is locked on Him? You see, there are many who stand and say that they speak for or in the name of Jesus, but only those who have Him in their hearts and treasure Him above all else can truly speak for Him and they must do so by removing their own agendas that conflict with Jesus’ agenda.
If you are disturbed as I am by some of these things that others have said in the name of Jesus, then good, there is hope for both of us. However, there are those who hear these things; agree with them and actually believe in their hearts that Jesus (and God) actually hates the sinner along with the sin. Therefore they feel totally justified in harassing, attacking and condemning the sinner. We need to be careful how we choose to "speak for Jesus" because we may find ourselves speaking our own words and not His. I will leave you with Jesus words as found in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
May God bless and keep you.
