Jesus Was Dangerous

Jesus wasn't crucified because he was a nice guy. He was crucified because the powers that be were afraid of him. He challenged them. He called them out and called them names. He refused to play along with their rules. He could not be controlled.

Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said, "He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’" (Mt 27:38-43 WEB)

Those are not words of compassion. They hated Jesus. They were glad to watch him die, because it sent a message to anyone else that would challenge them: cause us trouble and you'll be sorry.

The apostles were dangerous

When they had brought them {the apostles}, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them. (Ac 5:27-33 WEB)

{the apostle Stephen said} "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous one, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!" Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord. They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. (Ac 7:51-58 WEB)

The early Christians were dangerous

The early Christians separated themselves from Roman society, and publicly criticized the morality of Rome. The claimed loyalty to Jesus superseded loyalty to anyone or anything else. They declared the Roman gods false gods, and refused to worship them. The threatened to upturn the status quo and the powers that be. They were hated by Roman society and martyred for their beliefs.

Modern Christians are dangerous

OK, quit laughing. The truth is modern Christians can be best described by this statement:

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. (Re 3:15-16 WEB)

The Bible says:

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2Ti 3:12 WEB)

What is it about your faith that makes you dangerous?