Blessed is He who is Not offended in Me
I was cooking in the kitchen one evening in the year 2021, and from somewhere outside of my thought line the scripture that says: “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me”, sounded so clear in my heart.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:6
When that scripture popped up in my spirit man I began to think of Christians who left Jesus Christ in their time of challenges. I couldn’t help but wonder why after all that God did for them they still turned their backs on Him and head back into the world as if they never related with Him even once in their lifetime.
And then it struck my mind that I’ve Been There too. When I lost that pregnancy in 2014 that was where I found myself.
I then decided to do a little video to encourage Christians who may be going through such a time on their spiritual journey because I’ve Been There too.
When I shared the first video on Facebook, one of my brothers in Christ commented on the video asking how I got out of the situation because he also found himself at that bus stop the previous week.
So I was compelled to do a second video. The lessons from both videos are what I share in this chapter as I round up with writing this book.
Yes, I have been to that stage in my Christian walk where I was offended in Christ. The stage where I was angry with God. The stage of disappointment in God. The stage where I was discouraged. The stage where I became cold towards God and all that pertains to Him. The stage where I considered the name of Jesus Christ and the word of God weak and unable to save in times of trouble.
And sadly, I couldn’t make the decision to return to the world and the pleasures that sin will offer me because I have gone too far with God to make that choice. I have walked closely with Him and I have enjoyed His power in the past. So, for all of the months that I was angry with God, I sat on the fence that stood between the WORD and the WORLD.
There are many Christians like me who are offended in Christ even today. Many get to that point because they judged that God let them down and was not there for them in their times of challenges, after having served Him for years. Some got offended because they suffered a loss.
Some also got offended either because He didn’t answer their prayers, He did not provide for their needs, or because life in general has remained the same from year to year.
Therefore, they sit on that same fence to cast aspersion on the body of Christ, pastors, ministries and even the move of the Spirit of God. These also become preachers who begin to serve on the enemy’s Board of Directors, working assiduously to turn away the hearts of those who are on the PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
They tell their bitter experiences and shout it on the roof tops that those in Church are being deceived. They tell those who care to listen that before Christianity came to Africa our fathers had the gods that they served, and those gods and idols were very powerful. They remember that in the days before they came to Jesus Christ, the idols never let them down even once. Their target is to OVERTHROW the FAITH of those who are still standing.
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:17-18
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:19-20
There is a man in the Bible who was offended in Jesus Christ too, and the book of Matthew 11 and Luke 17 recorded the account. The man happens to be the same person that announced Jesus Christ to the world, he is the one and the same John the Baptist.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:1-6
That account reported that the disciples of John the Baptist told him of the great work that Jesus was doing everywhere. On hearing that news John sent his disciples back to Jesus to VERIFY if He was the ONE that is to come, or if they should look for another?
That is such a strange request if you ask me. This John the Baptist was the same person that announced, baptized, and told everyone that he saw a dove descend upon Jesus Christ. It was this same John that told the world that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, and NOW he was doubting if Christ is the ONE, and therefore sent emissaries to ask if they should look forward to another ONE. That is, he wanted to know if they should quit or keep searching for the ONE.
The question we should ask is, what could have dragged the heart of John the Baptist down that route? What brought the doubts? What attacked his faith? What happened to him that shifted his gaze away from Jesus Christ to the point where he began to question His divinity and look for another SAVIOUR?
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, Matthew 11:2
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. Matthew 14:3
Could the doubts in the heart of John the Baptist have been birthed because he was going through a hard time? Was it because John was in prison and Jesus Christ turned a blind eye? Was it because Jesus didn’t try to mediate, prevent, intervene or rescue him from the wicked hands of Herod and Herodias?
If we consider the account in Matthew 14:3, Jesus had enough time to deliver Him if he really wanted to do so, from the time that Herod laid his hands on John, bound him and put him in prison. Yet, Jesus allowed the process to run its course till it got to the point of DEATH.
What kind of CHRIST was that? What kind of Saviour was that? Even an idol would have proffered a solution at such a time, even if it meant asking for the life of the loved one of the victim to rescue him. That means the idol will not mind asking for life to redeem another life.
Which god will allow its worshippers to go through pain? Why will our God TELL His faithful worshippers that they will go through water and fire, and then promise them that He will be with them when they are going through them? Why didn’t He tell them that they will never go through fire or water?
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
Why will our God even tell His worshippers that in the world they will face tribulations, but that they should be of good cheer, because He has overcome? Why didn’t He tell them that they will not face tribulation? Why didn’t He tell them that they will overcome when He was telling them of the tribulations?
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
John said, “Go back and ask him if He is the One. Isn’t that the same way we ask in our challenges if Jesus is really the One? Do we not ask if He is really the only Way? Do we not ask if He is really the son of God? Don’t we ask if He is born of a virgin, if He is really coming back, or how He will descend from heaven to take His saints home?
In response Jesus said, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard.
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 7:22
What a beautiful testimony to take back to John. Jesus was doing great and mighty things for others, but His goodness and greatness did NOT extend to JOHN. I can imagine how disappointed he would have been hearing that bit of news when he was in prison.
Those sitting before Jesus knew that John has been captured and imprisoned by Herod and his wife. They knew that in his situation only God can deliver him from their wicked intentions, and I am sure that there would have been some of the citizens who would have expected that salvation will come from Jesus Christ too.
But, that NEVER happened.
When the disciples of John the Baptist left, Jesus told the crowd:
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:7-11
Jesus asked them what they went out to the wilderness to see when they went to John’s Bible study and Baptisms. He then told them that John the Baptist was MORE THAN A PROPHET. He was the MESSENGER of God that was sent to prepare the way of the Lord.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3:3
John the Baptist was the greatest among all the children that have been born into the world.
And the same John the Baptist was captured and imprisoned by the wicked, as if he never wore a PROPHETIC GARMENT. Jesus had to tell the people how great John the Baptist is. He was probably telling them so that they will not think that his incarceration reduces his honour, or is a sign that he has sinned against God.
John is human after all. He also has a right to be disappointed and angry in/at his situation, especially if the Saviour has refused to come to his rescue in that critical situation.
Will I be far from the truth if I conclude that doubts had set in on the thoughts of John the Baptist? I don’t believe so. I believe that that was why Jesus had to send his disciples back with testimonies of assurance that will help strengthen his heart in his dilemma.
Jesus said:
… unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 7:22
Jesus could be saying to John, “The fact that you are in incarceration does not mean that I AM not who I AM. It does not mean that I am not healing, saving or delivering others. The fact that you are still in your situation does not mean that I have become powerless. The fact that I did not come for you does not mean that I am not reaching out to others. The fact that I turned my eyes away from you does not mean that I no longer love you, or that I am ignorant of your situation.
Simply, God is real and He does not change. He is still doing marvellous things and He is true. The fact that you as a Christian are going through challenges and you feel that THIS JESUS CHRIST let you down does not mean that God is powerless or that the name of Jesus Christ in the place of warfare is weak against the rulers of darkness.
One important lesson is that there are some experiences that are part of the journey. That is, the experiences are part of the package. However, that does not mean that every challenging situation that a child of God encounters is from God. Sometimes, it is man that brought it upon himself because of his CHOICES, or his SIN.
Therefore, you will discover at the bus stop of offence that the same name of JESUS CHRIST that let you down in the time of your trials is still the same name that is working miracles in the lives of so many people out there. So, in the midst of your struggles you wonder, “Is Jesus Christ the One that I should expect. Should I wait for Him? Should I wait on Him? Should I have faith?” Should I be like Job who said in Chapter 14 vs. 14, “All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come,” or should I take steps to find solution to my problems from other places.
Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of me.”
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