When Jesus Offends 

 Even his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?" Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you?

John 6:60-61 NLT

 In this brief “teaching” we will see when Jesus challenges the Church it is always with a purpose. Challenges are tools the Lord uses to build us up and strengthen us. Just as a weight lifter constantly uses progressively heavier weights to build his personal strength and natural body, so the Lord will challenge us to build our spirit man. 

For many in the church today the gospel that is being preached seems to be an easy fix for whatever-ails-you. Services, both the length and content, are here to entertain you enough to keep you coming back and putting your offerings in the plate. Preachers avoid offensive topics to keep everyone happy. This isn’t anything new. Even the High Priest in Jesus day was worried that Jesus ministry would cause Rome to take away their religious enterprise. (John 11:46-48) 

While Jesus died for the Church, His Church, many in America today and other places in the world, have removed the name “Church” from their vocabulary and signs. One church we know of in our area had the name “Church of God” removed from their sign so it would not offend others. This coming from someone on the inside who make decisions regarding “not offending.” Another popular church expanding their vision has decided to no longer carry the word “Church” in their terminology, but instead will use the word “campus” for their new locations. 

Why does leadership try to be something Jesus never was? Jesus had no problem offending the religious Pharisees and Sadducees of His day. Even when Peter brought up the fact to Jesus directly that He had offended some of the disciples, rather than consoling him, Jesus asks him if he wanted to leave as well. (John 6:60-68) Jesus had no problem offending the minds of men to reveal what was already in their hearts. 

Offending people because you don’t like them isn’t what Jesus was doing. However, when the word of God offends, then let the offense stand. Do not apologize for what God says. The day is now upon us when it is time for the Church to take a stand and become the “Rock of Offense.” 

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed 1 Peter 2:6-8