When Jesus is Removed

Happy Monday to our CFC Family;

What a year 2026 is already shaping up to be! I’m sure many of you have heard about some of the world events unfolding, bringing a mix of celebration and concern. In nations like Iran and Venezuela, dictatorships are crumbling, giving hope and joy to people who have long suffered under oppression. Yet beneath the headlines lies a deeper story—a spiritual reality that has repeated itself over and over again throughout history. What happens to a nation, “When Jesus is removed?”

Before I go further, I want to be clear: I’m not here to wade into all the political weeds of the past few weeks. There is much debate about leaders and policies, but my focus today is on the spiritual truths that underlie these events.

Iran, once a nation that encouraged Christians to practice and celebrate their faith, encouraged believers to worship openly, churches to operate publicly, and Bibles to be available. Converts were not hunted or imprisoned, and Christianity existed visibly within society. But when the Islamic Revolution consolidated power under Supreme Leader of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 followed by

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 1989, Jesus was pushed from public life. Since then, Christians have faced surveillance, imprisonment, executions, and persecution simply for gathering or sharing Scripture. Removing Christ did not bring freedom—it brought fear, control, and oppression.

When it comes to Venezuela, churches once worshiped freely. But under Hugo Chávez and later Nicolás Maduro, socialism and authoritarian control steadily squeezed faith. Churches were pressured, Christian leaders silenced, and opposition voices, many of them pastors, targeted. As Jesus was removed from public life, basic human rights followed Him out the door. Food shortages, corruption, violence, and the loss of freedom became everyday realities. Again, removing Christ did not bring freedom—it brought fear, control, and oppression.

Even here in Canada, it is not hard to see the bias that is taking place in how our secular media reports on these events. Doing everything in their power to present secularism and socialism in a positive light.

For example, I was surprised (but not really) to see the CBC publishing an article after Nicolas Maduro’s arrest, calling him “A man of the people.” That despite the obvious suffering endured by Venezuelans, our media still tried to paint him in a good light.

And regarding Iran—a nation long under Sharia law, it was our Prime Minister who stated just late last year that “Muslim values are Canadian values.”

These narratives can blur moral clarity and shape public perception in ways that overlook truth and justice. As Christians, we are called not to passively accept such messages, but to discern what is true, stand for righteousness, and respond with wisdom and understanding, guided by the Holy Spirit.

As Christians living in Canada, we can see our nation quickly drifting from its Christian foundations, and embracing systems and values that push our faith to the margins of “Extremism.”

Even right now, our federal government is pushing Bill C‑9, which, if passed, could limit not only what pastors preach from the pulpit, but also what Christians are allowed to say publicly or write online. Though framed as protecting against discrimination, in practice it could restrict believers from speaking openly about biblical truth and moral convictions.

History shows where this path leads. When Jesus is removed from government, schools, and families, freedoms we take for granted begin to vanish. In nations where Christ is removed, the result is always the same: loss of human dignity, erosion of respect for humanity, and the collapse of moral clarity.

When Jesus is removed, compassion fades, justice weakens, and human dignity erodes. But when Christ is honored, even imperfectly, freedom finds room to breathe, and faith in humanity is restored.

God’s Word reminds us in Psalm 33:12:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

And again in Proverbs 14:34:

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”

So the question isn’t only about Iran or Venezuela—it applies to every nation. What will truly transform a nation?

It will not be ideology.

It will not be economics.

It will only be when Jesus is welcomed back—into our hearts, our homes, our schools, and our governments.

Because when Jesus is removed, everything suffers.

But when Jesus is honored, life finds room and humanity discovers its value!

Question: "What can we, as a church, do to be a light that restores Christ to our neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces?"

Have a blessed week and we’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Dan