Why do some people get mad when we talk about Jesus?

Kids Ask Hard Questions: Acts 7

Jesus warns God’s children that following Him will not be easy. Some people did not like Jesus because He told them about the sin in their heart. Others did not want to believe that Jesus is the only way to God. If we follow Jesus, some people will not want us to talk about Him. Others will not want us to pray, go to church or even to obey our parents.

Does that mean we should stop talking about Jesus? No! When the crowd was angry, Stephen trusted God (Acts 7). Stephen knew that Jesus has come to rescue us from sin. Though the people rejected God’s Word and God’s Son, they needed Jesus. So, Stephen told them of God’s love. He warned against rejecting such a good and holy God. As with Stephen, God also gives us opportunities to talk about Jesus. Everyone’s greatest need is to believe and receive Jesus!

When our faith in Jesus makes someone angry, we can remember to ask Jesus for help. Jesus understands our hurt feelings and our fears. Angry people called Jesus names. They laughed at Him. They even said He was a liar. Jesus comforts us when we share the same kind of suffering He did (Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29; 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13-16). And He gives us the love and courage we need to speak about Him. Will you look for opportunities to talk about Jesus? With His love and courage, we can talk about Jesus. And He will cause some to listen and believe.     

Stephen prayed, “Lord do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Does Stephen’s prayer shock you? How could Stephen forgive people while they were killing him? Jesus prayed this way (Luke 23:34), but does He expect all God’s children to pray for people who hurt us? How can we forgive others? God’s children know we have a great debt of sin against God. God is merciful! So that He could forgive us fully, God sent Jesus to pay the huge penalty our sin deserves. How can God’s children withhold forgiveness? God has not withheld His forgiveness from us. But without God’s help, we cannot love and forgive.  When people hurt us, our Father invites us to call out to Him. He is ready to help us love and forgive others.

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