Here's the Main Reason People Don't Like Jesus

Why don't people like Jesus? Or why do some prefer baby Jesus or Santa Jesus to the real Jesus? The answer might surprise you... or maybe not?

Matthew tells us that when the Wise Men came looking for baby Jesus, Herod became disturbed. Agitated. Angry. After all, he was the King of the Jews. He was in charge. So this caravan of pagan star watchers shows up asking for the "King of the Jews" and Herod tries to play the nice guy. Asks them some questions. Gives them instructions to send word back so he too can worship. Today we might call this kind of false pretense plausible deniability. It says the people were also disturbed.

Why the people? Because if Herod would be scared, or feel threatened, he would take it out on the people. Some about to see this play out in our world shortly. When insecure leaders are threatened, they take it our on others so that their power is not interrupted. Herod felt his rule, his throne, his base of power.was going to be attacked. So he didn't like Jesus all that much!

Today it's the same but different. People don't want give up their power. Power over their life. Over their choices. Over their amusements. They want someone else telling them what to do. With their money. With their careers. How they might spend their time. Jesus is still a threat today.

Jesus didn't come to just be the baby in the manger. He came to be our Savior. Our leader. The one we choose to follow. He came to show us how to love & live differently. But not everyone likes this. So Jesus becomes a threat. He was to Herod. He's still a threat to many today.

What about for you? One way you can tell if Jesus threatens you or not is how you respond to Him. When the wise men found Jesus, they bowed low to the ground. To a toddler. They gave some pretty incredible gifts. In short, they worshiped Jesus.

It takes courage to look for Jesus. For we become responsible for what we know. To remain ignorant of Jesus makes us feel safe. Do you have the courage to worship Jesus this Christmas? To bring your life and offer it to Him? This Sunday the kids will remind us of the story of Jesus birth, and it will be cute and make us smile.

But I also pray it brings us to a place where we worship the King. That like the angels we cry Glory. We sing praise of adoration.

May we all have A Courageous Christmas- See you Sunday Friend!
- Pastor Mike

PS-Christmas in Dardenne on Christmas Eve at either 4 or 6pm. Invite someone to join you in celebrating the birthday of our Savior!

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