“You’ve made better”. When my husband says things like that about a dinner I’ve prepared, it sends me into a tizzy. To say his insensitivity offended me is an understatement. Jesus’ words offended many of His disciples who heard Him speak of Himself as the Bread of life.
60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? - John 6:60-61
Why did Jesus ask that question and what caused the commotion?
The short answer: Jesus told them the truth. Most people can’t handle the Truth when it comes to Christ and His finished work. 47Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
The Lord explained that those who receive Him as the Bread of Life, the true and living God, will have eternal life.
“The root of offense is… unforgiveness!”
His words were controversial over 2000 years ago, and they are controversial now.
Jesus and His teachings… still offend people.
We live in a society perpetually offended by something. The result has become cancel culture.
Unfortunately, offense runs rampant in our churches, among leaders and lay people.
“The root of offense is… unforgiveness!” There’s no shortage of that within the Body of Christ.
Sometimes offenses are by-products of spiritual immaturity.
The disciples and Jewish people didn’t understand the spiritual truth of what Jesus was saying.
Believers are afraid to stand for the Truth out of fear of offending others.
Folks take offense to God telling us He created man and woman.
Truly, the Lord’s words to Jeremiah that everyone born and unborn are fearfully and wonderfully made is offensive to many.
The words of Christ are offensive to people because He dared to state Who and what He came to accomplish on this earth.
Are you offended by Jesus?
Ultimately, a better question to ask ourselves is Jesus offended by us?
Be Encouraged!
Stephanie
Leave a Reply