Offended By Jesus
Introduction. Mark 14:27-31 (KJV - “All ye shall be offended because of me”). Note: “because of me” - Codex Alexandrinus, Vulg., Syr., Copt. “because of me” — Codex Siniaticus, Codex Vaticanus omit. Gr. skandalizo - “to put a stumbling block… metaph. to offend; a) to entice to sin; b) to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away; to be offended in one, i.e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority… c) to cause one displeasure at a thing… to be displeased, indignant” (Thayer, p. 577).
I. “Offended” Generally Defined. Generally, that which causes one to sin…
A. “If your right eye offend you” (Mattthew 5:27-30).
B. “Offend one of these little one” (Matthew 18:1-9).
C. “Lest I make my brother stumble” (I Corinthians 8:9-13; Romans 14:20-22).
II. Did Jesus Ever “Offend?”
A. Some were offended because he didn’t match their expectations (Matthew 13:53-58).
B. Some were offended because they didn’t like what Jesus said (Matthew 15:1-13). Note: His teachings criticized them.
C. Some were offended because they didn’t understand what Jesus taught (John 6:53-64).
D. Some would become offended because they were spiritually immature (Mark 4:16,17).
E. Some were offended because they were afraid (Matthew 26:31-35).
Conclusion. Jesus Didn’t Intend to “Offend.”
A. “Lest we offend them” (Matthew 17:24-27).
B. “That you should not be made to stumble” (John 16:1-4). Even so, there were many who were offended. Are you offended by Jesus? • Expectations? • Dislike His Sayings? • Don’t Understand? • Immature? • Afraid?
C. Blessed are those not “offended” (Luke 7:19-32).