Why does the word “Jesus” make people uncomfortable?

Have you ever noticed that you rarely hear the word “Jesus” on regular TV? And by regular TV, I mean the major networks like NBC, ABC, and CBS. I would venture to say that we are more likely to hear profanity than the word “Jesus” on TV. Kurt Warner, former NFL and Super Bowl winning quarterback once said that he did an interview where he attributed his success to his relationship with Jesus. However, when the interview aired, all mention of Jesus had been cut out. Now, I am not a person who will try to ram Jesus down the throats of people. If I want to hear about him, I’ll just tune into one of the many Christian Networks. But this fundamental question remains: Why does the word “Jesus” make people uncomfortable?

Jesus actually predicted that his name would cause strife. Check out the two following verses:

Matthew 10:34-35  Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Matthew 5:11    Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Neither of the preceding verses is particularly encouraging. Taken in the greater context, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brought peace between mankind and God. He knew that his teachings would cause conflict among mankind or cause conflict between believers and non-believers. Hence, he would turn man against his father and so forth. And furthermore, people would be persecuted in his name.

So, it’s inevitable. Jesus will cause conflict. He will make people very uncomfortable. But why?

I think it goes back to rebellion. There’s a rebellious streak in all of us. We want to do whatever we want to do. And no one will tell us what to do…..not even God. While the hardcore American values of autonomy and independence “can” be good attributes, they can also further our rebellion.

Before my walk with Jesus, I remember hearing his name and cringing. Deep down in my soul, I knew that some things weren’t right in my life. And some things, I simply didn’t care if they were right. Either way, both examples were rebellion against God. Therefore, there is a part of everyone that is rebellious to God, but there is also a part of everyone that wants to reconcile with God. The uncomfortableness with Jesus’ name is our conscious pleading with us to “get right with God by accepting Jesus”.

I’m ending all my posts with an invitation to accept Jesus. If you would like at accept Jesus simply pray the following prayer or one like it: “Dear Lord, I’m a sinner. I acknowledge that you sent your son, Jesus, to die for my sins. I humbly accept your son, Jesus, and I now further acknowledge that I am forgiven of my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins.” If you prayed that simple prayer, you are saved. Now, you need to follow Jesus. Start reading your Bible. I would suggest starting with Matthew, reading all of the New Testament, then reading the Old Testament. Also, find a good church. Christianity was never meant to be done alone. You need to be in community with other believers.