It was brought to my attention this morning, that it was the church that persecuted Jesus.  The church you say?  Yes, the church.  By the basic definition of the word church, which is God’s chosen people, we see that it was the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin arranged for Pilate to have Jesus flogged and crucified.

 

Now that puts a whole new twist on things.  But does it?  Throughout history several groups of people were persecuted by the Catholic Church because all they wanted to do was follow Jesus and not the pope.  The early church was persecuted by a man named Saul who was part of the Sanhedrin.  Even today, there is persecution with in the church.  People are kicked out of families, churches, or groups all because of their simplistic view of Jesus.

 

Why?  Power.  There are people who love and thrive off of being in control of others.   Money.  Money is needed for any organization.  Prestige.  Look at me when I enter the room, makes one feel valuable and important.

 

Jesus lived with the poor.  Healed the sick.  Had no place to lay His head at night.  Feed the hungry.  Minded the sick of heart. 

 

To walk in the footsteps of Jesus is never easy.  It is not suppose to be.  You will be hurt by those who are religious, like He was, but in the end you will stand by Him.