One of the most appealing things about the story of Jesus,
whether you believe it or not, is the recorded concern he had with the underdogs of the world at that time. He consistently ministered to the lame, the halt, the sick, the weak, the voiceless, and stood up for people who were scorned by the society of the day. He freed a woman in danger of being stoned with a few words about hypocrisy. Everyone who is familiar with the stories recognizes that. He was the champion of "the least of those" who were around him.
Sadly, the lessons written down for the enlightenment of the people of those days are often missed by current followers of Jesus. Now, I don't believe any of the supernatural stuff, but the lessons were often good ones. They're similar to the lessons taught by most religions, and teach concern for the scorned and downtrodden. What we can, and should, take from those lessons is that numbers don't matter as much as need. We should not attack those who are our "lessers," but should help them, instead.
So it is taught. But so, sadly, is it ignored. Jesus was supposed to have said, "Blessed are the poor. Blessed are the meek in spirit," and so on. Unfortunately, so many who claim to follow those teachings do the exact opposite. Not all of them, of course. Maybe not even a majority, but far too many scorn the poor, the meek, the lowly, the sick, and others. In some cases, too many go further, and act to kick them when they are down. Many others fail to protest when their fellow followers of those teachings treat the unfortunate and different with contempt or even threaten them.
Jesus was recorded to have confronted people like that. Those stories are also prominent in the Gospels. If you believe them, you will read that he despised hypocrites, scorned those who used religion to make money, and disputed openly with those who failed to do as he believed people should do. For that, and other reasons, it is said that he was put to death for pointing out the failings of the powerful. Stories designed to teach and inform are really common in the Gospels. They're widely ignored, unfortunately.
There are people even today who point out those hypocrisies. They, too, are scorned and attacked. They are told, "Only some Christians behave that way. Not me!" "Not me" is perhaps true, but can also be used to deny responsibility. When someone points out that some who call themselves Christians do not follow the recorded teachings of Jesus, the common response by some is to go on the attack against such statements. Rather than reflect on what is said, defensive postures are assumed and unusual or illogical arguments are often used.
That's too bad, I think. The things Jesus was supposed to have taught are good lessons. One can find similar lessons in most religious scriptures. However, such lessons, when they deal with the weak, sick, different, downtrodden or poor are often ignored, and those who ignore them are too often defended. It's a pity when that happens. It truly is.
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