Jesus isn't a cute vegetable

"Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you."
-1 John 3:13
-(Written by John a friend of Jesus, one who saw Him butchered by Romans.)

I think in light of the recent cultural turmoil over Mel Gibson's "Passion" movie, this scripture rings so true.

When you strip off all the soul numbing religiosity from the simple story of the life of Jesus; you are faced with a radical person who lived a controversial life.

Jesus is more than a soft and colorful cartoon in a kids sing-a-long video.

Jesus isn't a cute vegetable.

He is more than a philosophical ideal, a set of a principles, a theory, a 3 point message or a bumper sticker catch phrase.

Jesus isn't just over the counter aspirin for the dull ache of American life.

He isn't spiritual cocaine for the over stimulated charismatic church junkie.

He isn't pink pepto for overindulgent saved sinners.

He never was mainstream religious material, an info commercial, lapel pin or a bobble head for your dashboard.

He wasn't predictable, safe or sanitized for your personal safety.

He had a lot of enemies, in fact many were infatuated, fascinated and curious at first and ended up turing on Him and became His enemies.

Jesus wasn't understood by His own family, in fact, they thought he was going overboard and might be out of his mind.

Even those around Jesus were often puzzled, confused and wondered who He really was or what He was trying to do.

Many followed Him for a while and then didn't, in fact most people who followed Him quit.

Jesus was loved desperately and hated as passionately.

Jesus didn't meet everyone's expectations, even ticked some people off and had a reputation as a liberal.

Jesus wasn't political, didn't pump hands, kiss babies or smile into cameras.

Jesus didn't write a book.

Jesus was poor and asked others to give away their money too.

Jesus walked. He wasn't in a hurry...

Jesus had a few close friends...and one really didn't like Him, in fact, he ripped Him off pretty regularly.

Jesus died a criminal with criminals.

Jesus didn't have a 401K or a life insurance policy...His friends had to buy a place to bury Him.

In the last message of Jesus, He said He would spit out anyone who lived a life of lukewarm indifference.

So what ever we say about who Jesus was...we can never say He wasn't controversial.