"I'm Offended"

EPISODE 88

Accept Jesus' Teaching

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Think of a word that describes Jesus' teaching. Got it in mind? Did you choose the word offensive? Chances are you didn't since we usually don't think of Christ's message in that way. While he wasn't unnecessarily abrasive, harsh, or unkind with his words, plenty of people took offense at him.

"... and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? ... Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him ..." (Matt. 13:54-57).

Let's look at why Jesus' teachings garnered such a strong reaction from his audience, and what it means for us today.

Offense Prophesied

"... he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken" (Isa. 8:14-15).

The prophets foretold his audience's reaction hundreds of years before Jesus began his ministry. He wouldn't come with a smooth, comfortable message — but one that required work to accept. He would purposefully offend, challenging them to see beyond the flesh to the spiritual nature of his instruction (John 6:60-64). And as predicted, many did stumble over his words, taking them personally, and shutting their ears to the truth.

A Countercultural Message

"'... it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.' Then the disciples came and said to him, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?'" (Matt. 15:11-12).

Jesus was continually clarifying and reframing the Old Law to the religious "elite" of his day. But they wouldn't accept that their traditions were coming to an end — especially from the son of a carpenter. They saw Jesus as a troublemaker, one who was trying to rock the boat. And so, many hardened their hearts rather than accepting his words.

The Choice is Yours

Though Jesus was rejected by many, he has become the cornerstone for those who believe (1 Pet. 2:4-7). His words are our firm foundation, providing us strength and security through the storms of life (Matt. 7:24-27). And we're called to build on his foundation as a spiritual house, to serve and sacrifice for him as priests today.

So, how will you respond to Jesus' words? Will you accept them as truth or reject them as offensive? The choice is yours!

Let us never be offended by Jesus — remembering those comforting words, "... blessed is the one who is not offended by me" (Matt. 11:6).