“Jesus Loves Osama” - did this Australian church go too far?
Fox News Video - Jesus Loves Osama
When I saw the headline on FoxNews.com, I was like - “Now What… is this some ultra-lib church trying to excuse 9/11 or something?” But nope.
Turns out that this church in Oz has managed to ruffle the feathers of the PM and some other folks because they are advocating we do exactly what the Word of God says to do. They’ve posted a sign in large letters that says, “Jesus Loves Osama” and underneath it, they cite the verse about loving your enemies and praying for those that persecute you. (you know… that pesky verse.)
A spokesman for the Central Baptist Church even goes so far as to say, “Osama is the head of terrorism. We are saying that Jesus Christ loves everyone in the world, even this man. … All we are doing is sharing the gospel.” (Church’s ‘Jesus loves Osama’ sign criticised)
How utterly radical.
Jesus’ love is not conditional. Of course He loves Osama bin Laden. He loves you, too - no matter what you’ve done. No matter how many dark sins and secrets you have in your past. No matter who you’ve let down, no matter who you’ve hurt, no matter what you’ve said or left unsaid, done or left undone - friend, Jesus loves you. He loves even those that humanity calls “unloveable”.
Even better than that is that He does not want you to stay in your wretched condition, stuck in your sins, carrying the weight of those you’ve let down and hurt, the harm you’ve done, the burden you bear. No. When He carried the cross down the streets, step by painful step… and then was nailed to it … He did that for you, accepting your punishment for those sins, so that you would not have to bear it any longer. Sure - you can, if you want to. Stay right where you’re at if you’re happy there, carrying all of that guilt and shame around with you. Or run to the One who can set you free in an instant, who is reaching even now with a mighty outstretched hand to lift you from the depths and set your feet upon the solid rock.
Would Jesus do that even for Osama bin Laden? Yes. All it takes is for someone, anyone, yes - even Osama - to accept Him as Savior, believe on Him for salvation, and confess and repent of his sins (repent means “to turn away from”). When someone does that - yes, even Osama - they become born again. That’s not a trite evangelical smiley buzzword, that’s a description of a powerful work that the Lord works in their heart, instantly when they are saved.
Yes, Jesus loves Osama bin Laden. He loves you. The question is, will you receive His love? Or will you reject it?