Religion is Jesus day was oppressive. Paul described the law as the "unbearable burden that no human being could carry." There were not just 10 commandments, as some would suppose. There were in fact 613 commandments and 365 prohibitions. It was not Roman domination which the people faced it was religious oppression. Jesus states emphatically by reading from a scroll, which was handed to him, his purpose for coming into this world. Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn."

Jesus was bringing good news of freedom. Jesus was not speaking like a religious person however he was walking without fault in complete holiness. In his day the priest wore brilliantly made robes and the scribes and Pharisees were known for their outward appearance. No one could tell by looking that Jesus was a holy man, the Son of God who came to liberate. It wasn't in his appearance but in the way he simply lived his life which made him different than the organized religion around him. He was just ordinary.

Jesus also was seen with sinners more than he was seen with so-called saints of the day. Jesus first recorded miracle was at a wedding where they had ran out of wine. Jesus simply turned the water into wine. Not to demonstrate or prove a point that wine was good but to show how common he was and how he could relate to people. The example of the water into wine also has major spiritual significance in that it shows how he came to bring something new into the world not the same old thing that people had conformed to.

Jesus also spoke simplistically with all compassion. The scribes and Pharisees did not appear human to the people. The religious order for that day was unapproachable in its traditions because they had elevated themselves above the people. Jesus was every bit human and wanted everyone to know it. God was visiting the people in the flesh. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus was beckoning people to have a relationship with him. When people came to Jesus with problems and trouble he never turned them away. Through understanding, patience and gentleness he always heard them out, and found a solution. Many times Jesus was tired and needed sleep but yet he put his needs aside to help others.

In today's society the lost person does not feel comfortable around Christians. Christians seem to always be saying how bad the sinner is and how if they do not repent they will spend eternity in hell. This is a true statement yet Jesus went about things a bit differently. The lost people enjoyed his company and he seemed to genuinely enjoy their company as well. He did come to seek and save those who were lost so amoung them he was at home.

I will make a point however…Jesus never condoned nor did he ever endorse sin however he never condemned the sinner either. Those he had the most trouble with were the religious people. Instead of their eyes being open and understanding that Jesus was God's Son they denounced him and even accused him of performing works in the name of the devil. The religious people who prided themselves upon the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and customs were too blinded by their own self-righteousness to see that prophecy was being fulfilled before their very eyes.

Jesus did not act piously or preach religion. Everything he did was for his Father in heaven. People were drawn to this because it was truth that they had never heard before. He was a friend of sinners and was proud of this association. It was for them he came into the world and for them he died and rose from the dead.

During his life, Jesus remained a gentleman, gracious, caring, compassionate full of understanding and Godly wisdom. He never once appeared to be religious and he belonged to no religious denomination. He was free and he gave his life in sharing this freedom with everyone he came in contact with. The sinners loved him and the religious plotted to kill him.

I would encourage every one who has taken the time to read this to lay aside your religious opinions of Jesus and what the church has taught you about his character. Go back to the scriptures and study his life. Examine who he was and the example he left for us to follow. Then ask yourself if you are following his example or are you one of the religious folk.