Would It Be Different Now

When Jesus began His ministry, He chose an unusual group of men to be part of His inner circle. The 12 disciples of Jesus were chosen to carry out His divine mission on earth. They were not mere followers but true companions, walking side by side with the Son of God. Each disciple had a unique personality, background, and strengths, yet they all shared a common purpose: to spread the Gospel and bring salvation to all nations. They were His chosen companions and close followers, who walked alongside Him during His earthly ministry. The names of the 12 disciples in order were Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

Charlie Kirk decided at the age of eighteen to pursue a dream of creating a movement to reach high school and college-age students and share the greatness of the USA. He formed Turning Point USA and started building a team of young students. He saw something in them that they did not know existed. Charlie brought his message to challenging settings such as college campuses, where he faced boos and jeers from audiences unwilling to listen to what he had to say. He did not let that stop him. When some of the students got bold enough to debate him on subjects they chose, he listened to their arguments and then politely explained the facts, and did it in a way that they realized their case was silly at best.

Turning Point USA picked up momentum, and the staff had grown with offices at campuses around the country. Some of the staff members resigned, ran, and elected to political offices. His appearances at university campuses began drawing thousands of people wanting to see him and hear his messages. Charlie was committed to telling the truth on any subject, whether about America, capitalism, or his faith in Jesus Christ. He became a target of violent organizations and received many death threats.

Charlie’s favorite statements were “My priorities are – God, Family, and Country” and “When I die, I want to be remembered for my faith in Jesus.”

Matthew 27:15-21 English Standard Version
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
¹⁵Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. ¹⁶And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. ¹⁹Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” ²⁰Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

Charlie lost his life at the hands of a 22-year-old who was unable to accept the reality of good and evil. He planned his actions, believing he could silence the Turning Point USA mission, and he could become a hero with the non-believers of Jesus. In the days since the assignation of Charlie Kirk, I began to wonder how Jesus would be treated today if He were back here on Earth and speaking at college campuses. Would His messages be booed today, and would He be threatened or killed? Satan has convinced many that Jesus would share a completely different message today than He did before He was crucified on the cross.

The question is, “What do you believe?”