It is a Choice

Reading through the book of Mark, one phrase catches me:  “They took offense at Him.” (Mark 6:3b).  Jesus had come home.  He brought His friends, the disciples, along.  When the Sabbath rolled around, they went to the synagogue like all devout Jews.  Jesus had the opportunity to teach that morning to all who were there.  His words “astonished” and caused those listening to wonder where He learned these things because He was just a “carpenter”.  They did a mental check of His pedigree (genealogy) and “they took offense at Him.”

 

Reading this, another story in scripture is ringing in my mind.  In Luke 7, disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus to inform Him that John has been arrested and will soon be killed.  They came to ask if Jesus is the One who is coming.  Jesus shares what is happening:  blind seeing, lame walking, deaf hearing, healing of the sick, raising of the dead, and the sharing of the good news.  He finishes with, “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”  (V. 23 NASB).

 

I can’t help but realize that those who had known Jesus the longest, those around as He was growing up missed out.  They missed the blessing He had to offer them that day, right there in the synagogue.  They took offense at Him and missed the opportunity right before them.  It makes me so sad for them.

 

However, I wonder how often I miss out on a blessing He has planned for me when I take “offense” at Him, or His body.  It is so easy to find fault or become irritated doing life with a bunch of sinners.  (Just so you know, that is exactly what we are…sinners.)  Every church is full of sinners; forgiven, but sinners.  Yet, He calls this assembly His body.  Each time we criticize, grumble or fuss about one of these, we risk missing out on the blessing He has right before us.  This is Christ.  We must decide; will we live offended or unoffended by Him?