The Biblical Jesus is the sinless Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior of the world, the Lamb of God. He took away the sins of the world with his death on the cross and resurrection three days later prior to ascending to heaven amidst a cloud of witnesses is an undeniable fact. However, true to Biblical prophecy and warning, there has been many who claimed to be Him since the Carpenter of Nazareth last walked on the earth. Two thousand years after the historical and Biblical Jesus had gone back to the Father, a 'Philly Jesus' was found guilty of trespassing at an Apple Store in Philadelphia. So much for being sinless where this version of Jesus is concerned.
'Philly Jesus' would most probably be a passing fad, where he is known by his real name as 29 year old Michael Grant who is also an ex-heroin addict, finding release in his new relationship with Jesus. With Philadelphia carrying the nickname of the City of Brotherly Love, 'Philly Jesus' was deemed to have trespassed a Philadelphia Apple Store when he refused to leave. It was not so much the fact that 'Philly Jesus' was hanging out there at the Apple Store, but more because of his 7 foot cross which proved to be a pain for customers in the store as reported by the Associated Press. This huge cross blocked an aisle in the Apple Store, according to the store manager Shawn Dobbs. Dobbs testified that Grant ended up being very aggressive when asked to leave, saying that the only way he would leave was to be arrested. In fact, Dobbs testified that "He told me he needed to be arrested."
'Philly Jesus' does own an iPhone according to Philly.com, and uses it to keep his many fans and followers up to date with the latest happenings in his life. No miracles have been recorded so far, and neither has he purchased five loaves of bread and two fish to feed more than five thousand hungry stomachs. Rather, 'Philly Jesus' spends plenty of time at Apple Stores simply to charge his iPhone as well as take advantage of the situation to post the latest updates.
Being guilty of trespassing, Michael Grant tries to continue maintaining his persona as Jesus, informing reporters that he forgives the judge as well as the existing justice system in place. The judge and justice system's "faults" that warrant such a forgiveness from 'Philly Jesus'? For "trespassing against" him, "for they know not what they do."
Grant’s attorney sees things from a different perspective, however. He argued that his client, ‘Philly Jesus’, was asked to leave the Apple Store not because of obstruction, but rather, due to his religious beliefs. There is no jail time for ‘Philly Jesus’ however, as he was just given three months probation. With no shouts of “Crucify him!” in the background, Grant’s attorney would appeal the sentence.
This particular trespass happened on May 2 earlier this year at the Apple Store at 1607 Walnut St. in Center City.
