“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”” Luke 7:23 ESV
Reflection: is it possible to fall away because of Jesus?
This is one of those very strange, seemingly contradictory verses in the Bible. We think of Jesus as the savior of the world, the great shepherd, gathering and watching over his sheep. And he is that and much more. But in this verse, we see something else. He basically calls himself an offender. What does he mean?
Now, I had to look this word “offend” up, both in English as well as Greek; in order to get the original meaning here. In general biblical use, it means “to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall”. More specifically, to offend will cause someone “to fall (even sin)”, “to trip and fall”, to “fall away”. In fact, in the Norwegian translated Bible that I use, it specifically uses the phrase “to fall away”.
Jesus causing someone to “fall away”?
sn But being offended also means “to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another”. And “to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority”.
Paul wrote about his own people, “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 9:30-33 ESV
À rock of offense.
And we saw this throughout Jesus ministry that many took great offense to his message, especially the religious class. They approved of, in fact liked and even demanded his miracles. But they rejected him and his message. And we see even today many who are very offended by Jesus. It is the same old story, man’s defiance, wanting to be independent and righteous in ourselves, apart from God.
Jesus says today, blessed are you, highly favored, if you are not offended by Jesus. And we remember from looking at the story of the Roman centurion, and Paul the fisherman, that God himself revealed Jesus to them. Jesus said “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:17b ESV. You can replace the name of Simon with your name, because God has revealed who Jesus is to you.
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44 ESV.
Do you know what the antonyms are for offend? It is to forgive, to pardon, to justify, among many others. It is this light we see Jesus in when God has truly revealed him to us.
Jesus is both the offender, the stumbling block for those who reject him, and he is the savior, corner stone for those who believe in him and put their faith in him.