Who is The World’s Most Polarizing Figure?

From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. – Clint Decker

It is not who you might think. A local news outlet in Campbell County, Kentucky, reported that in 2024, graduating high school senior, Micah Price, told his classmates at the beginning of his commencement address, “the honor, the praise and the glory [goes] to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the light, He is the way, the truth and the life. Class, [and] everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my Lord and Savior is your answer. He will give you the truth, the way and the life.” Then Micah proceeded with the rest of his speech, sat down and the program continued. However, as students were receiving their diploma, things were different for Him. The Superintendent withheld giving it to Micah. Why? One mention of Jesus’ the school district okayed, but when Micah went off script talking further about Him that was not okay. (Image by Pixabay)

David Limbaugh, the author of Persecution put it in very simple terms, "Jesus is offensive." Jesus Himself explained this by saying, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before…you." (John 15:18). From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. On the one hand, every Sunday, including the seasons of Christmas and Easter millions gather to worship and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord. But on the other hand, there are nations across the globe where His followers are imprisoned, killed or culturally ostracized.

What is so offensive about Him? His name. Strong’s Lexicon states the Hebrew origin of Jesus’ name as meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This communicates how Jesus is Redeemer and Savior. Peter, one of Jesus’ key Apostles declared, “…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus said of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) This naturally leads us to ask, “What has Jesus come to save us from?”

When mankind was created by God, we were made perfect and walked in a beautiful relationship with Him. But then we disobeyed God, became separated from Him and came under a curse. It causes all humanity to be born with a bent toward evil, pride and selfishness. Consequently, we are subject to the Lord God’s anger. However, due to our Creators grace and mercy He did not leave us to ourselves. On Christmas Day we celebrate how He sent His only Son to save us from our waywardness. On Good Friday, we remember that He sacrificed His life for all our wrongs, and on Easter Sunday we recognize that He rose from the grave conquering Satan, evil and the darkness within us. His victory over death has become our victory too.

Jesus is offensive because many view themselves as generally good and reject His message that they need saving from sin. Therefore, when our moral failings are pointed out, it becomes a point of contention. He is also offensive due to His teachings of exclusivity claiming that “He is the only way to God,” that “Jesus is the only Savior” and that “Forgiveness can only come through Him.” In a world of many religions and spiritual options, these messages of Christ offend. Jesus is also rejected because of His divine justice. When He speaks of hell and the judgement of God coming upon those who refuse Him, it is uncomfortable.

What will you do with Jesus? One day He will bring the whole world to its knees. The Scripture says, "God has highly exalted him…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…" (Philippians 2:9,10,11) Today seek Him, know Him and receive Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray people will come before you with their questions or objections about Jesus. And may they see Him high and lifted up above all others and recognize their need for Him as Savior and Lord. In His holy name. Amen.