Jesus loves gay people

They eagerly embraced him as he walked through the temple. I love you because I created you and came to save you! Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that good trees bear good fruit, while bad trees bear bad fruit. Among those who confronted Jesus, they represented the group that held to a conservative theological position and used their interpretation of the Scripture to exclude.

But when it comes to the LGBTQ community, sometimes Christians’ behavior is mixed — lukewarm at best, hateful at worst. Jesus upheld the traditional Jewish and biblical view of marriage as a monogamous, heterosexual covenant, rejecting sexual relationships outside this framework, such as adultery, LGBTQ and fornication, which He condemns as sinful.

May the following seven things begin to move us to thinking and action. The church’s rejection of same-sex relationships has caused tremendous, needless suffering. ; Jo. ; Rom. ; I Jo. ). The Lord seems to say in his word to all sinners (and that includes those in the LGBT community): 1.

He reportedly replied: This (laws around the world criminalising LGBTI people) is not. He reportedly replied :. Criminalising people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice. Pope Francis was recently asked about his views on homosexuality. Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?

Jesus recognised that they chose to interpret Scripture in a way that prevented it from being understood in non-traditional ways. Jesus affirmed the covenanted union of one man and one woman as the only normative expression of human sexuality. Each of these leadership sectors used their interpretation of Scripture to exclude rather than to include.

The ordinary people who followed Jesus understood that he represented a different understanding of God. This message of inclusion becomes even clearer when Jesus is later confronted by a single scribe Their interpretation of the story is that it is about homosexuality.

(Ps. Grace is a beautiful aspect of God’s character that we are called to embody. Jesus was saying God refused to be the exclusive property of the Sadducees. Read more: Pope Francis' visit to Africa comes at a defining moment for the Catholic church. Gerald West does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Scripture is particularly important for Christians. What would Jesus say? Do you feel ever confused about how Jesus wants you to treat people from groups different from yours? Jesus calls us to a new level of love, one that mirrors His love for us. Jesus specifically targeted those who exploited the poorest of the people coming to the temple.

Instead, they allow their patriarchal fears to distort it, seeking to find in the Bible proof-texts that will support attitudes of exclusion. But is it? For starters, Jesus wasn’t a homophobe. In Mark , Jesus addresses the Sadducees, who were the traditional high priests of ancient Israel and played an important role in the temple.

The Bible is always interpreted by our churches through their particular theological lenses. Jesus said to them:. God accompanies them … condemning a person like this is a sin. Persons with homosexual tendencies are children of God. God loves them. Pope Francis was recently asked about his views on homosexuality.

The answer should be simple: with warmth, open arms, and love. This means loving others sacrificially and deeply, regardless of their background or identity, which should include all individuals. It is incredible to suggest that these words from Jesus have no bearing on the question of homosexuality.

On his third visit, Jesus spent considerable time in the temple itself He met the full array of temple leadership, including chief priests, teachers of the law and elders.