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).