Why did Jesus get killed? He was a nice guy. Taught people to love. Always told the truth. Healed people. Fed the hungry. Welcomed the lonely and alienated. A friend to all. What's to hate about a man like that?
Jesus came to save Israel. This is a very political statement. He came to save them from Rome, much like Isaiah came to save Israel from Assyria. The reason that Assyria and Rome were brutalizing Israel was connected to failure to keep Torah - as outlined in the punishment sections of Deuteronomy. If Israel would repent and seek forgiveness of their sins, then God would hear their prayers and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. He would heal their wounds and make shalom prevail.
Jesus came with this message, from God, as the Son of God. And part of his work to save Israel was to expose the evil behind the pretensions. Just as Jeremiah was unable to convince the kings of Israel to repent and save their nation, so Jesus failed with the High Priest and Sanhedrin.
If Jesus were to come to America today, he would do similar work of exposing the evil behind the pretensions. What do you think would happen to Jesus if he always told the truth about people and situations in the USA? About our military? About our economy? About our culture? About our churches? About our faith?
In Jesus' work of revealing the Father to people, of healing them, and forgiving sins - he would undermine the authority of those with power and prestige. The more Jesus taught from Torah and expounded on the Great Commandments to Love God and Love Neighbor - the more enemies he would make. Jesus would destroy our illusions about how well we love. He would blow up our cover ups and deceptions with his truth-full observations. His gentle yet unyielding holiness would reveal our filthiness - and for those that prided themselves on purity, they will be enraged.
Jesus, if he showed up today, would only be able to get a few followers. Who are the tax-collectors of our day? Who are the prostitutes of our day? Who are the blind, lame, diseased, dying of our day? Who are the outcasts and judged ones of our day? They would get most of Jesus' attention, and give the most affection. How well would you tolerate Jesus' intense presence of love? How well would you receive Jesus' focused word of truth? Would he humble you or harden you?
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