Blessed is he, who is not offended by me. Matthew 11:6
Are you a person that gets offended easily? Read Matthew 11:1-19. From this passage, make a list of every potential challenge and opportunity for John’s confusion due to the imprisonment and Jesus’ ministry. What do we know about John? Read Numbers 6:1-4, Luke 1:15. What do you learn from these passages? He lived his life for one purpose to prepare the way of the Lord.
Read John 1:29-34. What evidence do we have from this passage the John the Baptist was certain that Jesus was the One for whom he prepared the way? Now let’s think about some things. Put yourself in John’s shoes. Imagine sitting in a prison cell. Would you be second-guessing yourself? What if he was wrong about Jesus being the real Messiah? All he did was for nothing. On the flip side, if he was right, then why didn’t Jesus use his power to free John from prison and death? Have you ever been in a similar situation? Where you know you heard from God, obeyed God, yet nothing was easy. In fact, you are questioning everything about the whole situation. Has it shaken your faith? Has God’s way been disappointing because you know he can do anything?
Jesus was sincere when he asked the question, “Blessed is he, who is not offended by me.” Have you been offended by Jesus? This could happen when Jesus doesn’t answer our needs how we expect them to be met. Read Matthew 11:9-11. How did Jesus affirm John’s profound importance in the kingdom of God?
Let’s look at the word offended. It comes from the Greek word skandalizo. It means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, to entice to sin, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey. To see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority.
Can you think of a time when you were offended by Jesus or have been tempted to be offended by Jesus?
Read Daniel 3:16-18. How did Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego exercise a faith that was harder to offend?
James exhorts us in 1:6 to make our petition to God without wavering with doubt. How is it evident that Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego were not just covering for themselves or God just in case He didn’t come through?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that as we don’t know every detail of your ways or plans, I pray that we will trust you no matter what. I pray that we will not be offended by you with the way you choose to do things.
In Jesus Name
Amen
