An Unpopular Message

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An Unpopular Message

by Brent Goodge

Jesus had been out of Nazareth for some time, but He was finally back home. As Jesus entered the synagogue that Sabbath, He was asked to read. He turned to one of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 61:1, 2). But when He told His friends and neighbors that He was the Messiah, they turned on Him. His response? “No prophet is accepted in His own country” (Luke 4:16-30).

Why is a prophet never accepted in his own country? Just maybe, it’s because we all want to believe that their messages of warning should be for “those people out there” instead of for God’s people. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was the message given by John the Baptist as well as by Jesus (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17). It was also the keynote address by Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). Each of these messages was presented to God’s chosen people, the people who felt they had no need for repentance (Luke 15:7). For any prophet to boldly give this message to the religious leaders of Israel was unthinkable (John 3:5-10).

Are we willing to honestly ask ourselves if Christianity is any more likely to accept needed reproof today than God’s chosen people were 2000 years ago? Are we any less likely to condemn immorality and other evil “out there” while ignoring sin cloaked in religion than the ancient Jews were? Do we ever pretend that God didn’t mean what He said in the third commandment that those who take His Name in vain will not be held guiltless (Exodus 3:7)? Do we truly hate the things Jesus hates, including sowing discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19)?

Even if we don’t want to admit we know the answer, Jesus loves us too much not to tell us. Jesus says His people don’t even realize we are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Jesus’ entire message to the church of Laodicea should be an embarrassment to all who bear the Name of Christ (Revelation 3:14-22). Interestingly enough, the word Laodicea means “a people judged.”

The Bible predicts that one more set of unpopular prophetic messages will go to the entire world before Jesus returns (Revelation 14:6-12). The very first of these is the same message, if not the same wording, as 2000 years ago.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” is restated as “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7).

Jesus calls on the church that is judged, the church that is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,” to deliver the final message of repentance in the judgment hour. Is it possible we aren’t giving the message because we aren’t living the message?

About The Author Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and desires to walk with Jesus, whatever conditions that might lead to.