Good Evening to All:
Let's look at our text.
Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
The Webster Dictionary definitions for the word "offend" are:
a. sin, transgress
b. to cause discomfort or pain
c. to cause dislike or vexation
To offend someone is to cause great hurt to that person whether ignorantly or knowingly. I have seen and heard people carrying a great offense around for many years and some even to their grave. If someone doesn't deal with being offended quickly, it will turn into bitterness. When a matter becomes bitter, it wrecks havoc on the spirit of that person. Bitterness can cause natural and spiritual death to someone.
This brings us to our story in the book of Matthew. The story goes like this. John (the Baptist) had been put into prison for preaching the truth to King Herod Antipas. While in prison, John heard about the works of Christ so he sent two of his disciples to Jesus. The disciples said to Jesus "John wants to know are you the one that should come or do we look for another"? Jesus answered and said unto them, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see". Jesus says the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
It's verse 6 of Matthew chapter 11 that is quite profound. Jesus says "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me". I believe this is a statement for all, but especially the body of Christ. I have said and will say again - the best place to get hurt is church. If you have spent some time in church, then you probably have been hurt in one way or another. Why did Jesus have to mention verse 6 at all? He could have stopped at verse 5. The answer is two-fold. One, Jesus in verse 5 was confirming the inner thoughts and questions that John had about Him (Jesus). Other words, Jesus says yes, I am the one you are looking for. Then the question has to be asked. Why would John even ask Jesus if he is the one since John baptized Jesus in water? The answer is verse 6. I believe what John was saying is this - If you (Jesus) are the one coming so why don't you come and rescue me out of this prison. All Jesus did was confirm who he was (verse 5) and spoke something of great value in verse 6. The great value was this - If I (Jesus) never help you out of prison and you remain there, it doesn't mean I am not the one coming, it doesn't mean I "lost" my "Messiah" title - all it means is I choose (meaning His will) you to remain in jail. The question is John, if you remained in jail would you still serve me or what you be offended and turn from me since you (John) feel that I didn't come to your aid?
Verse 6 was not only for John but for us believers as well. We might be in situations that it doesn't seem right or fair. Our flesh wants rise up and blame God. Why me God? I thought I was your child? Questioning God is not a great offense. It is okay. But, if continued, it can lead us to be offended. Once offended, mostly like it can cause us to turn from God and blame Him for our woes. The question is directed at us. Even in our darkest hour, will we be offended at the Lord or will we praise Him in our storm?
If you feel that you have been offended by the Lord, by some pastor or even by some Christian (whether right or wrong) - I ask you to sincerely seek the Lord and receive His cleansing power. Don't walk around with hurt but walk to the Healer.
Blessings
