You Asked For It Answers...Part 2

OK, there were a few questions I couldn't get to in the sermon last Sunday night. So I am going to post them here tonight.

Question: Why Jesus never spoke directly about homosexuality......tying in with that, the verse where it says homosexuals, liars, adulterers, etc. will not enter the kingdom of heaven.......why we just grasp onto the homosexual part.....again, holler if you want me to find the reference. (I attended a conference once where a woman held up a poster that said, "What Jesus Said About Homosexuality." In the middle was a tiny little empty square. Her point was how we grab onto that sin and ignore our sins like overeating, covetousness, gossiping, etc. We tend to rank sins as humans.

Answer: As to the second part of the question, I actually addressed this issue here on www.bradraby.com a few months ago. You can read my post where I linked to an article by Johnny Hunt HERE.

As to the first part of the question (Why Jesus never spoke directly about homosexuality): This isn't entirely accurate. Jesus referred to Sodom in 5 different places in the Gospels (Matthew 10:15; 11:23, 23; Luke 10:12; 17:29). Sodom was known, obviously, for homosexuality. Anytime it is referenced in scripture it brings with it an emphasis on immoral behavior.

Secondly, there is a significant cultural argument today that didn't exist 50 years ago much less 2000 years ago as to the moral view of homosexuality. Why would Jesus hammer away at something that wasn't a common matter of debate?

Third, Jesus affirmed the Old Testament numerous times, and commissioned the apostles on what to teach. The apostles made it clear that homosexuality was considered sinful.

Fourth, Jesus could have addressed it, but as John says not everything Jesus said or did could be recorded.

There is no doubt in my mind that the church looks at homosexuality in a very hypocritical way. Make sure you check out the link above which clarifies that point.

Question 2: What about the time when Jesus' life is not detailed for us, between the time he was 12 and his ministry the last 3 years of his life?

Answer: Well, there is very little that we know about Jesus from the time He was 12-30. What we do know is what Luke 2:52 says about Him: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Jesus no doubt continued to work as a construction/carpenter worker with Joseph. The absence of Joseph in the Gospels after Luke 2 and Jesus commending His mother Mary into the care of John on the cross causes me to assume that Joseph either died during those years, or left. The first seems more likely.

I wish there was more recorded about his teen and young adult years, but we'll just have to wait to we get to heaven to ask Him.

- Brad