To Be Or Not To Be...Offended:

MATTHEW 11:2-6 KJV

² Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

³ And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

⁶ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Deep in the heart of human nature lies the tendency to be offended, and yet for so many, it is nurtured, instead of disciplined.  Society today teaches us that to be a fully-formed, card-carrying member of the human race, we need to take up a cause.  The cause can be just about anything, as long as it jives with the culture of political correctness, and is fluid, adaptable, and universally inclusive—unless, of course, it has at its core, some form of exclusivity.  It wouldn’t take an alien long to survey popular culture and realize that, for all the public proclamations of “inclusiveness” and “tolerance,” this only lasts as long as one ideology is in agreement with another.  If one cultural dogma is debunked by another—watch out!  The gloves are off!  Call it protest, call it passion, call it crusading or defending or uprising: at the heart of it all lies the spirit of offence. 

Offence, in the way in which we are using this word, means “annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles.”  It’s the way we perceive something is said or done to us that just grates against our own sense of self.  It’s an insult, because we see it as an attack on our personal character.

In the passage from Matthew 11, we see a simple question posed by John the Baptist that might surprise many of us, but we can’t overlook the context.  Jesus’ cousin John, who was born through a miraculous series of events and lived a life completely devoted to his destiny as the Forerunner, the one who would "prepare the way of the Lord” is, for perhaps the first time, experiencing a crisis of faith.  He had recently come to the penultimate point of his ministry, seeing a vision, and declaring Jesus to be the Lamb of God, the promised Messiah.  What a high that must have been for John!  He’d lived his whole life, without regard for the comments and ridicule of others, shunning the trappings of comfort and conformity, all in order to pursue the calling of Jehovah.  He was single-minded in purpose, and powerful in his preaching.  He had a following that alternately scared and perplexed the synagogue elite of his day, and he had no problems telling anyone exactly what the Word said, and exactly what he thought about it.

That alone cost him his life.  Visited by Herod, John told him what he thought about Herod marrying his brother’s wife.  Though Herod liked hearing John preach, in Herod’s mind, this had crossed a line.  He threw John into his prison.

Likely Herod realized that to do anything worse to someone as popular with the people as John was would not be helpful to him.  But when he foolishly promised his wife’s daughter, Salome, any gift up to half of his kingdom, Salome received the wicked counsel of her offended mother.  In turn, she asked for the execution of John, with his head literally served up on a platter.

Nice girl.

But all the while John’s wasting away in prison, he begins to buy the Enemy's lying whispers that his life, his ministry, has been all for nothing.  I can imagine the thoughts: “If Jesus was really the Messiah, why are you still in prison?”  “You’ve given your whole life to a God that would let you rot here?  What is the point?”  And finally, through a message carried by his own disciples, he sends one of his questioning thoughts directly to Jesus himself.

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3[b] NKJV)

It’s a fair question, don’t you think, in light of the circumstances all around him?  You can hardly blame him for his moment of weakness.  There’s no doubt in my mind, the relentless attacks on the psyche and spirit of John were resulting in him feeling and looking like a fool.  In simplest terms, John was disillusioned—and offended. 

In verse 11, the Greek word used for the phrase “be offended” is skandalizo (Strong’s G4624).  According to the accompanying definition, one of the principle meanings is “to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way.”  Another is even more compelling: “to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority; to make indignant.”

John “disapproved” of Jesus for leaving him in his unjust imprisonment.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we’d say the same about any number of circumstances.  “But God, I’ve been doing the work of the Kingdom! How can you just leave me here in the situation?  I don’t deserve this!”

Jesus’ response, however, was priceless.  He essentially told the messengers, “Take a look around.  Stop looking at your tiny corner of the greater picture.  The church is being birthed, people’s lives are being changed—and you’ve been a part of that.  But my plan is much, much bigger than just you.  And don’t lose sight of that.  Trust in my plan.”

“Blessed is he who is NOT offended in me.”

The word “in” in this passage comes from the Greek word en (G1722).  It can also be translated as by, with, at, among, on, or even through.  Let’s look at the possibilities:

“Blessed is he who is not offended with me.”

“Blessed is he who is not offended by me.”

“Blessed is he who is not offended among me.”

“Blessed is he who is not offended through me.”

Does this seem like a stretch?  Initially, I thought the same thought.  But as I began to consider, more ideas began to flow.

BLESSED IS HE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED…

      I.         WITH Christ—His Mission and Identity

His mission, above all else, was to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

His mission is that we might have life—more abundantly. (John 10:10)

His mission was to overcome the world. (John 16:33)

His mission was to take the Keys to death, and hell. (Revelation 1:18)

His mission was to prepare a place for us. (John 14:2-3)

His mission was to send the Comforter, AKA/the Spirit of Truth. (John 14:16-17)

His mission was to reveal HIMSELF as the Comforter. (John 14:18)

His identity is Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides. (Genesis 22:14)

His identity is Jehovah Rophe—the Lord who heals. (Exodus 15:26)

His identity is Jehovah Nissi—the Lord my banner [who goes before me in battle]. (Exodus 17:15)

His identity is Jehovah Raah—the Lord my shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

His identity is Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is present. (Ezekiel 48:35)

His identity is Jehovah Shalom—the Lord is peace. (Judges 6:24)

His identity is El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient One, the Almighty. (Genesis 17:1)

His identity is Elohim—God, Judge, Creator—the Power over powers. (Genesis 1:1)

His identity is El Elyon—the Most High God. (Genesis 14:18; Psalm 57:2)

His identity is El Olam—the God of Eternity, the Everlasting God. (Genesis 21:33; Jeremiah 10:10)

His identity is I AM that I AM—I will BE what I will BE.  I Am who I Am. (Exodus 3:14)

His identity is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

His identity is Emmanuel—God with us.  (Matthew 1:23)

His identity is Alpha and Omega—First and Last, Beginning and the End. (Revelation 1:8, 11)

In spite of all of this, people were, and are, still offended.

Matthew 13-54-58 NLT

⁵⁴ He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” ⁵⁵ Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph,^[f] Simon, and Judas. ⁵⁶ All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” ⁵⁸ And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Our unbelief—evidenced by our offence—prevents the miraculous hand of God from moving on our behalf.

   II.         Blessed is he who is not offended BY Christ—His message.

One God—“I and my Father are One.”  (John 10:30)

One Lord—"One  Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5)

One Way—“I Am the way, the truth, and the life….” (John 14:16)

One Way—Water and Spirit: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5)

One Baptism—in Jesus’ Name: “…Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ… (Acts 2:38)

One Spirit—“There is one body, and one Spirit….” (Ephesisans 4:4)

One Body—“…you are called in one body….” (Colossians 3:15)

Matthew 16:13-19 KJV

¹³ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art PETER, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

¹⁹ And I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE THE KEYS of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Peter, the newly christened “Rock”, takes the Keys given to him by Jesus Himself, and opens the door.  You only need keys if something needs to be unlocked.  What did Peter unlock?

Acts 2:38-40 KJV

³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Acts 4: 8-12 NKJV

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ⁹ If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.”

He unlocked SALVATION.  Maybe we should pay attention.  This is a new thought for some.  The test for anyone who experiences discomfort when faced with these truths is this:  Are they convicted?  Or just offended?

 III.         Blessed is he who is not offended AMONG Christ—His Body, His Bride: The Church.

We don’t have to wonder if we will ever be offended by our brothers and sisters in Christ.  SPOILER ALERT:

Matthew 18:7 KJV—⁷ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luke 17:1 KJV—Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

They’re coming.  Just be prepared! And be ready to forgive.  Why?  Because they deserve it?  Maybe not…but because your Father in heaven will forgive YOU.  And the converse is also true:

            Matthew 6:14-15 KJV—For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  ¹⁵ But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Do you need any other reasons?  That sounds like a good enough one in a nutshell, to me. 

If you desire a little more detail to work with, however, Matthew 18 spends pretty much an entire chapter on  how to deal with offence within the church body.  And since Jesus already told us they were coming, we’d better be prepared.  The thing is, most of the time, you don’t see the offence coming, and many times the source will absolutely surprise you.  But remember the one meaning of Greek word, skandalizo, from Matthew 11?  “To see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority”?  This means that we must even be prepared to be offended by those in authority over us.  For most of us, that is one of the bitterest pills to swallow.  The wounds from within the body are deep, and painful, mostly because these are the ones with whom we have lowered our guard.  No one expects to be wounded in the Household of Faith.  That’s our safe place!  But the mark of maturity in a believer is evident when they weather the storm of offense with a desire to keep their garment—and their spirit—clean and unspotted by the insidious, self-righteousness of nurturing wounds inflicted by a brother or sister.  And when someone in leadership executes correction—justly or unjustly—we must,  above all else, strive to keep ourselves clean from offence.  If you can, deal with the offence in the biblical process Jesus outlines in Matthew 18.  Do everything you can to mend the offence; if it still isn’t a relationship in harmony, shake the dust from your feet.  Keep your spirit unobstructed by hard feelings and resentment.  Otherwise, if they won’t allow the relationship to be healed, it’s on them.

      I.         Blessed is he who is not offended THROUGH Christ—His Process.

The process is often painful.  Life is a series of events, a testing ground.  Sometimes, people who start off well, on a honeymoon with Jesus, so to speak, end up facing a major challenge to their faith or beliefs at some point.  This is outlined in the Parable of the Sower:

Matthew 13:18-21 KJV

¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  ²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, BY AND BY HE IS OFFENDED.

Scripture is filled with examples and non-examples of those who endured the sifting of the process.  The Pharisees.  The Syro-Phonecian woman.  Naaman.  The widow woman who was about to starve to death with her children, when Elijah shows up and asks her to make him a cake.  Joseph’s brothers.  Potiphar’s wife.  Cain. David.  Ruth.  Esther.  All of these are those who, when faced with challenges and the process of God’s sifting, made one of two decisions:

1.     To be offended

2.     NOT to be offended

It’s really that simple.  You CHOOSE to be offended.  The offence aside, you choose your reaction to what happens next.  I’ve known and believed this in concept for many years.  However, in a Sunday morning service, I felt God nudge me to study this out.  I felt Him compelling me to study those in the Bible who were faced with the choice of being or not being offended.  How did things turn out for them?  When the the tide change?  Did any start out one way, and change their attitudes mid-stream?  What was the evidence in their lives that showed the blessings—or the curses—attached to their choices?

This is a work in progress, friends.  Come with me, if you dare.