One of the things that I found disturbing when watching the movie, the “Son of God,” was how much so many people hated Jesus. Of course, not everyone hated him but there were many that did. What was it about this carpenter that people just couldn’t stand? Why did many, especially among the elite, not want anything to do with him?

In order to honestly reflect on that question, I must turn it towards myself. Why are there parts of me that still hate him? I know that he died for me and that I wouldn’t have the least trace of life in myself if it weren’t for him. I know that and yet there are still times I wish we had never crossed paths. Life was, in some ways, easier before I knew him. I just did whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to. While that wasn’t freedom, maybe there is some bliss in ignorance.

There was something threatening in Jesus. He didn’t compromise. Here was someone who was completely committed to righteousness and truth. Here was someone in whom there was no darkness. In each of us there are agreements that we have made with different lies and many of these agreements we are not consciously aware of. The more time people spent around Jesus, the more they realized that he came to turn the world on its’ head.

I don’t always want to change. Sometimes I just want to be left the way that I am. Even knowing that I’m trapped in sin at times, part of me still just wants to be left alone. When Jesus comes to my heart to lead me to freedom, there are parts of me that still ferociously snap back at him like a snarling dog. In the depths of my heart I want to reach out to him and grasp the life that he’s called me to but there are other parts of me that wish he would just go away.

Why did they hate him so much? I think I understand. I hate to admit it but I find some commonality with those who drove the nails into his hands. In admitting this I am all the more thankful for Romans 5:8 which says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While we were still sinners. He came for men like me. He came for you too. He didn’t tell us to clean up before we get in the shower. He came knowing how dirty we were and chose to meet us exactly where we are at.