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Are we offended by Jesus? Are we willing to change our beliefs about Christianity without becoming offended at Jesus? When we are new Christians we often swallow all kinds of false ideas, but as we grow in grace and knowledge, we have to be willing to discard misconceptions. As we find out that some of our earlier Christian thinking was sometimes wrong, do we become offended at Jesus?
When talking to the followers of John the Baptist, Jesus reminded them of the signs predicted in the Old Testament proving who the Messiah was: healings and miracles. And then he said something seemingly strange: blessed are those who are not offended because of Christ. In John the Baptist's case, he probably thought things were going to work out differently, but he was eventually murdered for his faith. Will we be offended if while following Jesus what we expect changes? 11:1 And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 11:2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 11:3 and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 11:4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 11:5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 11:6 And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."
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| March 03, 2008 |
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Or embarrassed?
I used to be. I thought that being a Christian was a step away from being strong. I had to admit I was weak. That doesn't sit well in the Handbook of Modern man.
I've learned that it isn't about me. God's strength exists whether I choose to acknowledge it or not. In my weakness He is made perfect. I can live with that. And more, I can express that openly now to others. It's not about me. It's about the one who can save and heal and deliver. |
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| March 06, 2008 |
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I grew up Presbyterian. Our minister was, well soft, and as a young man, I wanted somebody who was a real man as my mentor. So, I eventually landed under a charismatic televangelist, who seemed to know it all. It was not until many years later that I began to understand a better theology. At first, I was offended because I had been sold a bill of goods that were no good. When I began to discover the REAL Jesus, I was so overjoyed that it was like a personal revival. I thought, surely all the "good" churches have known this Jesus all along.
Alas, I was shocked to find out that the mainstream churches were almost as cultish as the cults. They focus on apostolic successionism, immersionism, teetotaling, authoritarianism, who has the "exclusive franchise" and who's got the "right" gifts to indicate that they and nobody else are "spirit filled."
It's been a journey of supreme delight and abject discouragement all mixed in together. I have found Christ, THE reason for our faith. I'm not interested in the lesser issues of one-up-manship and airs of superiority over non-essentials. In fact all the superiority complexes and religious preening just bore me to tears. |
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