How can we avoid being "offended" by Jesus' teachings in Matthew 11:6? Setting the Scene – Matthew 11:2-6 • John the Baptist, imprisoned and discouraged, sends messengers to ask Jesus if He truly is “the One who was to come.” • Jesus points to His fulfilled messianic works (vv. 4-5) and closes with: “Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.” • In other words: “Happy is the person who is not tripped up, scandalized, or offended by who I am and what I say.” What “Fall Away” Really Means • Greek skandalizō – to trip, to set a snare, to cause someone to stumble. • Scripture connects this stumbling to unbelief: Isaiah 8:14-15; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:7-8. • Jesus warns that His words and ways can expose hidden doubts. The blessing rests on those who refuse to take the bait of offense. Common Reasons We Stumble over Jesus • He confronts cherished traditions (Matthew 15:3). • He calls for wholehearted allegiance (Luke 14:26-27). • He refuses to perform on our timetable (John 11:6). • His teachings cut against cultural currents (John 6:60-66). • He insists He alone is the way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Heart-Practices That Keep Us from Offense 1. Ground yourself in Scripture, not shifting opinion – “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) – Daily intake guards the mind from deception (Psalm 119:165). 2. Trust God’s character when you don’t grasp His methods – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) – Jesus’ delay with John proved purposeful, not indifferent. 3. Submit your expectations to Christ’s lordship – John wanted release; Jesus sent reassurance. Let Him define what rescue looks like. 4. Embrace difficult sayings instead of editing them – The crowds left, but Peter stayed: “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68-69) – Hard truths refine faith; they are not hurdles to discard. 5. Act on what you already know – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) – Obedience opens fresh understanding (John 7:17). 6. Cultivate humble fellowship – Encourage one another daily so that none “may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:12-13) – Honest community exposes brewing offense before it festers. 7. Keep eternity in view – Present confusion shrinks beside the glory to be revealed (Romans 8:18). – The blessed life Jesus promises outlasts every earthly setback. Living Out the Blessing When Jesus’ words challenge, confuse, or confront, refusal to stumble begins with a settled decision: He is Lord, His Word is truth, and His wisdom outshines mine. Hold that line, practice the seven habits, and experience the very happiness He promised in Matthew 11:6. |
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