Webster defines “controversial” as someone or something that is marked by strong opposing views. These “controversial” figures evoke passionate responses when brought into a discussion. Controversial figures are typically either loved or hated, but rarely evoke a neutral response. Jesus, I would have to say, is one of the most controversial figures in the history of our world.
What are the controversies that surround Jesus life? First there are His claims. Many may look at Jesus and think that He was a good man and a fine teacher, but by today’s standards that would not be the case. Jesus was controversial in His teachings. He opposed many of the common teachings of the day. In fact in His first public teaching in Luke 4, Jesus was very controversial, teaching as one with authority and making claims that no one dared to make.
Luke 4:18-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down…“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
This was a prophecy directly attributed to the coming of the Messiah. He was saying to them that the Messiah has come and even one step further I am He. Not exactly the words of a guy merely claiming to be a good teacher. Jesus also challenged many of the common teachings of the day and the teachers of the day He easily is the most controversial person of His era. He is controversial from the moment He steps on to the scene and even after His death.
After His death, controversy arises that quickly turns into conspiracy. The Roman soldiers lost the body? Or had He risen from the grave like He claimed? Some have claimed to see Jesus alive. Has He risen from the dead? For those who are in power, it doesn’t get much more controversial than this. If this is true, then they are really seen in a bad light. It means that they were wrong…very wrong. Out of this controversy arose the conspiracy…cover up the resurrection. Pay off the guards.
Matthew 28:11-13 …some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
Several years ago there was a list produced of the 10 most controversial films of all time. Interestingly enough it came out right after a very controversial film, "The DiVinci Code", had just been released in theatres. Of these top 10, which "The DaVinci Code" was not on, two of them were about Jesus with The Passion of the Christ being the most controversial of all time. Jesus evokes this kind of response from people. It’s hard to not have an opinion about Him. He usually elicits a passionate response, even 2,000 years after His death.
Jesus welcomed the controversy. Controversy gets us to think about the issues at hand. In Jesus case the issue at hand was this: Is this man who He claims to be? Is He the promised Messiah that will reconcile mankind back to God? If He is, then we should follow Him. If He isn’t then we should forget about Him. Over the next few weeks as we approach Easter, we will look at the controversial life of Jesus ending with the most amazing event of all time, the resurrection of Jesus. I hope you enjoy our time together.
Have a Great Week!
Pastor Stan and Polly
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