When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?” John 6:61
Getting offended appears to be a common feeling that people have. The smallest things offend many people. They get angry about something said or done and hold it against the one who made the action. Wholescale riots across a nation have occurred because someone or some group was offended by something that was different or did not follow their way of thinking.
John records that after Jesus said some words about He being the bread of life, many were offended, and His disciples were complaining. He then asked if what He said offended them.
It is easy for people to get offended. Anytime someone else has a different philosophy of thinking, rather than trying to understand, people will get offended. It goes against what they believe.
People get caught up in their own way of thinking and ways of doing things to the point that they cannot see anything else. It is always their way or the highway.
The world looks at the teachings of Jesus and will easily get offended. His teachings are very specific and narrow, leaving very little room for options.
People are constantly walking away from the church and God because they get offended. They cannot accept the hard teachings of Jesus; it goes against their personal beliefs as to how God should lead them.
God’s ways are above and beyond the ways of this world. Believers are called to walk a very narrow pathway, that is sometimes difficult to follow and can be offensive.
Rather than be offended, one must be transformed in one’s way of thinking, putting on the mind of Christ. God is leading the believer into a full and abundant life. This will be one that breaks down one’s own personal beliefs and puts God’s ways in its place.
You have probably seen or heard of many people being offended about something around you. This may have even occurred to you also. As you hear the words of Jesus, some things may be offensive and hard to accept. Do not allow yourself to be like the world and get offended and leave Jesus.
Trust His word and allow God to change your heart and mind. It is not about you, but about God and His kingdom, doing it His way.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will speak His words into your life; that you will not be offended by the words of Jesus; and that you will follow Jesus fully, even in the difficult teachings.
Photo by Nick Romanov on Unsplash
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