Offended? Probably a Good Thing!

Mac's Perspective on the Intricacies of God’s Amazing Grace

August 21, 2009
Dear Fellow Travelers,
It continues to amaze me that after so many years of reading and studying the Bible, I still come upon lines that for some reason have escaped my notice. This is one of them: “And after He called the multitude to Him, He said to them, ‘Hear, and understand. Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.’ Then the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were of-fended when they heard this statement’” (Matthew 15:10-12)?
This is the part of that passage that has escaped my notice: “Then the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement.’” You might be thinking, “So what?” but in my mind, this is worthy of note for several reasons.
In the first place, did the disciples really think that this had escaped Jesus’ notice? Surely, they knew better, but, apparently, they did not; otherwise, why did they ask Him about it? At any rate this presents me with a “golden” opportunity to remind us of something we should already know—NOTHING ESCAPES HIS NOTICE—nothing, that is, except our sins. Oh, He did notice them—BIG TIME NOTICE THEM—but that was then and this is now. Listen to these words: “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ’This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord; I will put My laws upon their heart, and upon their mind I will write them,’ He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” (Hebrews 10:16-17 NASB). Do you realize that, ever since the cross, neither God, nor Jesus, have noticed your sins (if, of course, you are one of God’s children)? Now you know not only why the gospel is called GOOD NEWS, but also why Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED!”
In the second place, did the disciples really think that Jesus gave a “flying hoot” about His having offended the Pharisees with His statement of truth? Just to set the record straight: He did not give even one “flying hoot” about it, nor did He lose a wink’s worth of sleep over it. You can rest assured that He did not apologize for speaking the truth; not then, not ever! And this gives me a “golden opportunity” to remind us of something else we al-ready know: If you are teaching the gospel, the one true gospel, people will be offended, and they will ultimately crucify you, if given half a chance; however, if you are teaching some man-centered heresy, they will honor you, praise you, flock to you, and kiss your feet. Now you know why so few teach the one, true gospel; if not, I will tell you—crucifixion ain’t no fun; very few are attracted to it—very few, indeed. Now you also know why Peter called Jesus a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (see 1 Peter 2:8).
By the way, stop apologizing for speaking the truth, just be sure you are speaking it love (per His opinion, not the opinion of your listeners).