Jesus Died for Kanye, Too

Kanye West.

A name that the majority of the world seems to know for one reason or another. Most know him for his music career and some know him because he’s married to Kim Kardashian. Either way, his influence reaches far and wide.

Up until this week, I didn’t really have much interest in him. I haven’t been a particular fan of his message about himself, calling himself “Yeezus” and claiming that he pretty much was a god. I didn’t enjoy his music and the message it tended to give. Overall, I was completely unimpressed. But, then he released his album, “Jesus is King.”

At first, I was skeptical. Was he really singing about the gospel – the true, biblical gospel? Or was this some of that cultural christianity I see regularly? Is he genuinely claiming that Jesus is King or is this for publicity? So I chose to check out the album, lyrics and all. Needless to say, I walked away encouraged. This man who used to be an, “I am King,” kind of guy is truly saying now that, “Jesus is King.” What a change. How exciting it is to see a heart that has encountered God and walked away transformed?

Like myself, I’ve seen many people approach this news with skepticism. But, instead of doing some research, some chose to go straight to judging this man. There have been statements such as, “It’s for publicity and money,” or, “There’s no way he’s actually become Christian,” and even, “Someone like him can’t be a Christian.” Reading these comments from people, who also call themselves Christians, is heartbreaking.

Here’s the thing that we “little people” forget about the celebrities: they are people, too. Just like you and I, they have dreams, fears, insecurities, hopes, likes, and dislikes. They have families, friends, and hobbies. Every single one of them gets up in the morning and has to face their own personal challenges just like we do. We have come to believe that just because they have lots of money and are living the “best” life that they don’t actually have real problems. But, they do.

Kanye needs Jesus just as much as I do. And guess what? Jesus loves Kanye just as much as He loves me. It’s not my job to judge Kanye’s authenticity in his relationship with Jesus. It’s my job to pray for him and to encourage him. Because the truth is that he will have the ability to influence BILLIONS more people than I ever will. This is the reality for all celebrities and people in the spot light.

Matthew 22:37-39 says, “He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” I should be praying for them and their hearts. I should be begging God to change their lives, to show them the unimaginable love and grace that He has to offer them. I shouldn’t be judging them, I should be loving them – even if they never have any idea of who I am.

We’re told in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..”  (emphasis mine). Last I checked, Kanye is a part of the world – which means God sacrificed His Son for him, just as He did for me. It means that Jesus died for Kanye, too.