Fire caused by lightning destroyed the statue of the King of Kings, known better as touchdown or butter Jesus Monday night. The 60-plus-foot statue has been called everything from a work of art to an eyesore since it was completed in 2004. Ironically, the Hustler store across the street is safe and sound. Your thoughts?
These photos are used with permission by Vincent Rush of Cincinnati Sports Photography.
I think this is a great loss and sad to hear it happened
I thought it was beautiful !!! I loved going past there and seeing that sitting there !!!
I cannot believe that people thought it was an eye sore……..
I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and God Almighty. But to be honest this was a bit of an eye sore and I feel that way to much money was spent on it when there are hungry,homeless families out there. Sorry Solid Rock, but money was not well spent. Instead of replacing it, how about trying to help out the people in need and replace with a small landmark. I’m sure that this didn’t bring anyone any close to God. Helping others does.
R.I.P. Big Butter Jesus! Where Else Can You Go And Get A Smile On Your Face Just By Driving Past It? Can’t Wait To Hear What The Song Will Sound Like From Heywood Banks About B.B.J.
Maybe someone is trying to tell them something… Their church was extremely blessed with wealth and they wasted it on a ridiculous statue instead of giving back and helping others in need. Not sorry to see it go. Reality is their insurance will pay big, they will probably rebuild and pocket the extra money. If you want to bring people close to god, show them how in the way you live. I think that statue was awful!
Hahaha! I love that you guys called it a peep this morning! If they rebuild maybe they will do it in concrete like everyone thought it was made of anyways.
im gonna have to agree with Sue. God is the creator of the universe and used his lighting to strick down a mockery of himself. it wasnt intened to be known as “touch down Jesus” however its disturbing that people arent like wow God is awesome when they look at that. They should use money to be more like christ and helping others.
and for the hustler store, good for them still being fine. but I do think God was sending a sign not to put money into an “idol” of god and instead use it wiser…
I guess they haven’t read the scripture…Thou shall make no graven images! Just sayin’
This church should reread the 10 Commandments. Exodus 20:4…No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever (Message)
I’m a Christian but I have a big problem with the waste of money used for the statue. The church’s money should be used for mission work, not promoting their themselves. While some received a spiritual blessing from the statue many–if not the majority–were on the opposite side.
R.I.P. Big Butter Jesus.
PS–I wish the lightening took out Hustler. Makes one wonder who sent the lightening…
I agree it was a tragic thing to happen, but let’s face reality. All the hungry, homeless and all who have absolutely no money to their name who needs help didn’t get it are suffering. They need the help and got nothing. I think this was a sign from above
imma sorry that it burend down but the money that they may use to biuld a new onwe could go for the people that needs a home or even food stuff like that
I don’t think the lightning was divine intervention or anything more than a fluke, but I just found that statue egregiously over the top…not so much inspirational as laughable.
I have long coined the following phrase: “There are levels of truth—to which level do you wish to go?”
In the case of the demise of “Touchdown Jesus,” I could limit my response to politically correct truth; socially acceptable truth, or, brutal truth.
As I’m confident you can handle the brutal truth, I will impart it to you.
For quite some time I have been aware that there is “sin in the camp” at Solid Rock Church. I’ll not elaborate on it, as it would surly release some ricochet judgment upon myself. On this note, I’ll divulge that my knowledge of such did not come by natural means. Rather, there is a spiritual gift known as the Word of Knowledge (one of the Revelatory Gifts) that has served me in this case.
1 Peter 4:17 reads, “For time has come for judgment to begin at the house of the Lord.”
The zapping of “Touchdown Jesus” therefore, was allowed (key word—allowed) by the Lord Himself. The Church (at large) is being judged severely right now. It has to be purged so that it can ultimately serve as “a light upon a hill” as the times grow darker (Mathew 5:14). I therefore don’t condemn the church, but welcome it’s purging, and long for its ultimate restoration and right-standing. As we Believers comprise the church (and represent the Body of Christ in the purest sense of the word), I too welcome His purging in my own life—and He is doing just that presently.
Many Believers within Solid Rock Church are going to believe that Satan did this, and will rebuke him accordingly. The poor guy is going to take a bad-rap on this one. He’s already very close to being thrown into the Abyss for eternity, and this accusation is just salt in the wound. The author of slander now meets with the same.
In Revelation 7:1, we read: “I saw four angels withholding the 4 four winds from blowing upon the earth.” If therefore the angels are capable of withholding all wind from blowing upon the earth, God Himself is capable of withholding any seeming disaster. Therefore, if He does not withhold such, we do well to ponder why it is that He has allowed such things to happen. And in the case of the demise of “Touchdown Jesus,” He has allowed judgment to fall.
I’m certain the Muslims would like to take credit for this one, and I do not doubt the mosque right down the road is rejoicing by firing 200 AK-47′s into the air, but I’ll have to deny them this touchdown, in this case (no pun intended).
I don’t by any means gloat over what has happened. If I were to do so, the next lightning bolt would be headed straight for me. For Galatians 6:1 reads, “If anyone is caught in a trespass, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, lest you too fall to the same.” It is therefore in a spirit of gentleness that I reveal the gentle, albeit brutal truth.
Less than 1 mile (as the crow flies) from what is left of the Jesus statue, there is a largely celebrated Hustler store. One wonders why the Hustler store was not stricken with lightening instead. The answer lies in Revelation 3:16, which reads: “I would that you were either hot or cold. But because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of My mouth!” The owner of the Hustler store therefore, is better off than those Believer’s who dabble in the world in a wanton posture, wholly disregarding the “severity of God” (Romans 11:22). This constitutes a state of lukewarmness, which in turn will be judged—severely.
Lastly, and in closing (a classic preacher phrase); I don’t believe it is a numerological accident that there is a very serious connection between John 3:16 and Revelation 3:16. For it is through the window of John 3:16 that we accept of the gift of salvation; and it is then through the backdoor of Revelation 3:16 that we will be booted-out, if we do not remain “hot” for Him.
Praying mercy, grace, cleansing, renewal and restoration upon Solid Rock Church, sincerely,
David
Wow. We just passed by there Sunday on our way to Dayton. Can’t believe it’s gone. Strange about the Hustler store without a scratch. An employee in my office goes to that church and said the big windstorm in 08 took one of the arms off. Now this? Sounds like God is bent on taking out his Son one more time.
I thought it was really neat ! Those of of you that say things like it being an eye sore or that it was mockery I dont think it was either if thats what they wanted to build then thats fine but really what is the differance of the church having the Jesus in a pond or a Cross with Jesus on it in the church or a statue of Mary ? And it is true the scripture does say thou shalt not worship idols ….. But I dont think they worshiped it ..? And if they did maybe that is the reason it did burn .. And yes they could help others with the money they used to build it there are plenty of homeless people plenty of people in need. But they chose to build the Jesus instead I wonder how many people went to that church just to see it ? and i wonder how many people still go there because they were curios one day and it lead them to church ?….