Does Jesus go to church?
Most Christians think so, we did too.  A lot of people see Jesus as a solid pillar in the assembly, a faithful tither, a 40 Days of Purpose reader, a G-12 church grower, involved in the youth program of His day, He led church car washes, and sang in the synagogue choir. He lit a candle and some incense as He prayed a prayer written by some obscure "saint" or faceless organizational writer.

 He helped with the chicken dinners and was known as a nice guy and helpful to others.  He gave the pastor (ruler of the synagogue) good advice and testified once in a while. He could really tell good stories and spoke with admiration of some of the Big Names in Christianity.

Jesus stands there, songbook in hand as the congregation sings three or four "worship" tunes, including a contemporary "rap" number by the youth group. He politely listens to the announcements and a testimony about the pastors' ministry. He moves  to the platform  for the sermon and claps for the message on "God Wants to BLESS You"  which is about the "Faith Promise-Seed-Sowing, Fathful- Tithing Road to Miracle financial blessings". The Italian suited speaker wearing a Cartier watch glances over at Jesus with a grin and a wink, and thinks to himself that Jesus is blessing his ministry.

On Friday The Lord goes down to the abortion protest and carries a flag, and holds a "Take Back America sign. That night He attends the youth service to check on their preparations for the Great America trip...

Saturday:
He decided to visit a Messianic congregation where the Torah is read by the Rabbi, and followed by an exhortation to follow the Law of Moses.
Later, He pops in on a 7th Day Adventist meeting to check them out.
The next day, he visits  the Pentecostal church at 11am after exactly 1 hour at the Catholic church, where He prays the rosary, crosses Himself, Hails Mary, blesses the Pope, and lights a candle. Mass is kind of hard for Him though, as he looks down at His hands as the priest does the ritual with the host. 
The large crowd at the "Mass" is unaware of what the priest  is doing with the altar boys, but Jesus knows.

Finally, Sunday evening, He visits the 5pm Community Church and a sparsley attended Baptist service at 6:30. 
On Wed. nite,  He visits the mid-week service at the People'sAssembly and a church-board meeting on Thursday at a church campus Admin building.

Have you ever wondered how Jesus does it?
And that somehow He approves and gets along fine with all the mess of confusion that calls itself "Christian"?

Someone may have invited Jesus to church once upon a time back in Matthew 13.
     And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
 Is not this the carpenter`s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Well, the modern version of Jesus has something in common with the Biblical account: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." 

Back in old Galilee they let him speak a little, but that was about it. Then they tried to KILL Him.

Sure, they had heard all about Jesus and His mighty works, but when He came to visit, they were more interested in keeping their traditions than in in Him. In fact, in Luke 4, when Jesus went to church and spoke from the scriptures, this happened: And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things;

What do you suppose would happen in one of those churches today, if the real Jesus showed up?
I daresay say He would be most unwelcome.
He might heal people. Demons would manifest and be cast out. The real truth would be spoken and the leaders of the church referred to as "snakes and vipers, hypocrites", tithe-taking extortioners. About the time of point 2 of a 5-point message, an angry Senior pastor and his assistant, along with several upset deacons would be trying to "lay hands" on Him like they did in Nazareth.  

He spoke to the leaders of God's people:
-Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.
- Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess.
Woe unto you, ye blind guides
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, even while for a pretence ye make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater condemnation.
Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?

He spoke to the churches in Revelation:
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:

In short, most churches would kick Jesus out and some would want to kill Him again, just like they did the first time. If a church isn't doing what Jesus did, it is like an assembly that Jesus said:  I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.

Look around folks, the church on the corner may be busy, and you will see many nice people, but if they are not doing what Jesus said, it is time for a reality church-check.

Pretty scary isn't it?
I mean what Jesus actually said to the leaders of God's people back there, and what he said to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3?  Can you see why it might just be a good idea to stay home for a few months and really read the Scriptures for yourself? And ask God to speak to you and show you anything in your life that might displease Him?

.. but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.
 Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
 no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.