Christ Offends

By

Shelby G. Floyd

December 3, 2006

 

 

 

No one wishes to be boorish in manners, rude in speech or ugly in spirit; but the most courteous and amiable of persons will find it necessary in their pursuit of truth and righteousness to be offensive to some people.

 

Christ Was a Rock of Offense

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ was no exception. Approximately 700 years before his advent to our world, the prophet Isaiah stated that Jesus Christ would be a rock of offense to both of the houses of Israel. (Isaiah 8:14.) Many years later, in a figure of speech, Christ was compared to the chief cornerstone of a building. That building is the church. Just as the builders rejected the chief cornerstone, so Christ was rejected by the Jews, but later became the head of the corner, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who believed him not.

 

“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”

(1 Peter 2: 7-8.)

 

Blessed Are Those Who Are Not Offended in Christ

 

To this day, Jesus Christ is offensive to the Jews because of their unbelief and disobedience of the gospel. Let us notice some of the occasions in the life of Christ when he offended some people by his life and teaching. To those who came from John the Baptist, inquiring of Jesus as to whether he was the one to come, or should they look for another, Jesus replied by saying, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Matthew 11: 6.) There is a state of blessedness pronounced upon those who are not offended by Jesus Christ.

 

“And they were offended in him”

 

But many people were denied this blessing even during the lifetime of Christ because they were offended in him. After Jesus had presented a great series of parables concerning the kingdom of heaven, he departed from the area of the Galilean lake, and came into his own country. After he had taught in their synagogue, the people began to question where Jesus had received so much wisdom, and why he was able to perform such mighty works. They insinuated that he was not worthy of the applause, prominence and prestige which he en­joyed because he was only a carpenter’s son, The im­plication was that the family had never been known for greatness; and therefore it was inconceivable that Jesus should enjoy such popularity from the people. This indicated that they wore envious of Christ’s popularity with the people. They felt like it belonged to them and not to him. Matthew says, “And they were offended in him.” (Matthew 13:57.)

 

They were offended in Jesus because he came from a town that was a proverb for lowliness. As one said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” They were offended in Jesus because of his birth, his lowly place of’ living, his humble family and trade. Sometimes today the children of God will offend the people of the world because we do not conform to their standards; but we should not worry about this. We should rather worry about offending the God of heaven.

 

Jesus Offended the Scribes and Pharisees

 

          Later, Jesus came to the land of Galilee and was questioned by the scribes and Pharisees which were of Jerusalem. They asked Jesus why his disciples trans­gressed the tradition of the elders by eating bread without washing their hands. But Jesus asked them why they transgressed the commandment of God by their tradi­tions; for God had said, “Honour thy father and thy mother.” God had further said, “Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” But there was a tradition of the Jews that a gift originally intended for one’s parents, could be dedicated to God by saying Corban, which thereby would release one from any obli­gation to his parents. Therefore, Jesus accused them of making the commandment of God of no effect by their own tradition. In strong language he said,

 

“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15: 7-9.)

 

After Jesus had explained to the multitude why it was not necessary for his disciples to wash their hands before they ate, some of the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” (Matt. 15: 12.) They were offended because Jesus had exposed their corrupt religion, accused them of usurping the command­ments of God by their own traditions and of vain wor­ship, because they taught for doctrines the command­ments of men. Therefore, they were offended in his teaching the truth of God.

 

Today, it will be necessary to offend much of the religious world. Some do not want plain preaching. Still we must follow the example of Christ and not those who want to compromise God’s truth. Jesus replied when told that he had been offensive to the scribes and Pharisees: "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15: 13-14.)

 

The Offense of the Cross

 

As Jesus neared the cross, he predicted that even his closest associates, the apostles, would be offended in him. After he had dedicated the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of his death, burial and resurrection, be stated to all of his apostles:

 

“...All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scat­tered abroad.” (Matthew 26: 31.)

 

The cross of Christ is offensive to many people. The apostle Paul later suffered severe persecution be­cause of the offense of the cross of Christ. “And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.” (Galatians 5:11.) Let us never be offended in Christ, but let us live in such a way that we please God, and do not of­fend him.  Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved