Jesus Is Offensive To Religions Even To Christianity

Jesus Is Offensive To Religions Even To Christianity

Do you find God's Word is weird? And sometimes it's offensive to our nice and sweet Christian's believes. To be frank, I was and still am "offended" by God's words. I thought to be His believer I just need to do good, talk about simple Christian's ideas, be nice to each other, come or organise some religious gatherings, program some activities together, and many other social stuffs.

If we talk about Bible let's talk about something neutral, how to be a good person, how to function well in society. These topics  are pretty safe and neutral to everyone, anyway people generally believe in good virtues.

But some Jesus' stories of the Bible that is too offensive to be preached as it is, hence we skip it or it needs to be neutralised to sound pleasing within the religious idea. Here are some :

1. JESUS RAISED LAZARUS

John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

What it means that "the Son of God may be glorified through this sicknesses"? If God wanted Lazarus to be sick to glorify Him Jesus better not to heal him.

Let's carry on the story....

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21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Jesus and Martha had a right spiritual conversation. Martha knew Who Jesus is, He is the resurrection and life (verse 25), He is the Lord, the Christ, the Son of God (verse 27). Jesus could have just left the situation that way, anyway Martha was securely saved. His mission in saving Martha had succeeded. But He didn't just stop there...

Look what happened next.

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43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

2. A MAN BORN BLIND RECEIVES SIGHT

Matthew 9:1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 

So if his blindness would reveal the work of God in him, it means it is God's work that made him blind. Let him be blind, so no one ruins God's work

But what Jesus did next...

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6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

What is "the works of God" that should be revealed in him in this context? Is it about "eternal life"? Anyway being blind on this side of life is not as important as eternal life which one needs to receive by believing and confessing Jesus as the Lord, the Christ and the Son of God. 

3. JESUS HEALS BLIND BARTIMEUS

Mark 10:50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

To teach what the most important thing in life Jesus should have said,"What is more important, physical sight or spiritual sight?", and then preached about eternal salvation through Himself, led the blind guy to receive Him as the Lord and saviour, encouraged him to endure, be strong and faithful to God while he lived his life on earth though he was blind - "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 7:12)

But let's see how Jesus responded...

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52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

4. JESUS FORGIVES AND HEALS A PARALYTIC

Luke 5:18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

Wow...that was so wrong. Jesus must have told him about politeness, about attitude, about respect, about good deed, and many more moral stuffs, it's something like,"Don't you know order, politeness and respect? How do you feel if your own roof top was hacked without permission? Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them (Matthew 7:12). Now mend the hole, be in order and apologise to the house owner first before I heal you. Anyway God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33), so let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)."

but shockingly...

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20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

What??!! He didn't even ask forgiveness, his friends were just anyhow destroyed someone property for his healing. That was a selfish and despicable act. He didn't deserve forgiveness. 

But instead Jesus corrected the scribes and the Pharisees there.

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”

Ok, Jesus wanted to teach about undeserved forgiveness. Good then, He's made His point and He could move on to the next chapter/topic of religious teaching. 

But then...

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24b He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

What? Didn't Jesus know that what important is about spiritual salvation? Why He needed to heal his physical condition rather than to just use it for "spiritual" topic like "faithfulness", "endurance", and something like that? It's not what my denomination taught me. 

5. A HEMMORHOID WOMAN HEALED

Mark 5:25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

It's a good time for Jesus to give a lesson about being polite, asking permission for healing and respect what ever the result Jesus decided.

Keep on following...

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29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

What?? No permission given yet, but she's healed? She should have asked permission and whatever Jesus's decision...it's God's prerogative right, He is sovereign anyway. She was stealing from behind (I don't know why it could be that way)...nevertheless it's stealing. Jesus would rebuke her when He knew it, anyway He is omniscient.

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30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

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What is God's will demonstrated through Jesus' life? 

John 14:9 "He who has seen Me has seen the Father"

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Very disappointing that Jesus didn't rebuke her nor discipline her, in-fact Jesus praised her faith that made her well. When she heard about Jesus in verse 27, what did she believe about Jesus? Is it about eternal life in Jesus (which is also true) or she believed that Jesus's healing like what she said in verse 28?

6. JESUS HEALED A DEMON-POSSESED BOY

Matthew 17:14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

This is the perfect sample and opportunity to teach the "sovereignty" of God. If even Jesus' original disciples (even better than modern great ministers' of God) who were already equipped with power and authority given by Jesus Himself (Matthew 10:1), couldn't cast the demon out...then it was not God's will to heal the boy. Jesus should defend His disciples and explain this man about the respecting God's sovereignty. Learn from Jesus Himself in the garden of Gethsemane, yes, we can have will, nevertheless, not as we will, but as God will (Matthew 14:28)

Let's read through...

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17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

What???!!! What a twist??? Jesus answered and said ,"O faithless and perverse generation" and at the end healed the boy? Why He offended God's sovereignty? If His disciples would have been able to minister healing at the first place it must have been not God's will to heal that boy.

7. JESUS AND PETER WALKED ON WATER

Matthew 14:25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

This is a good real life moment Jesus could teach Peter, "Why don't you believe Me nor My Words? Why you doubt Me and want to test Me? It is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ (Matthew 4:7). ”

So what's the twist now? Let's keep on reading...

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29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

But why Jesus granted Peter's wish? It's such an unimportant event. Jesus alone walked on water is enough, it's already showing His divinity. He enabled Peter walked on water didn't make anyone save, no gospel preached, nobody is healed. It was just such a childish request of Peter.

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And many more Jesus' stories are offending to our good Christian's culture. But yes, to play safe let's not talk about this. Let's make some doctrine that doesn't really show His "extreme" work of His goodness.

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Why we just assumed that He only cares about spiritual salvations and other things are not too important? He's bigger than what our carnal mind can think of.

Do we have our own idea about Jesus or we get the idea from His Words? Are we hearing the same Jesus as the woman who was healed from the bleeding issue in Mark 5:27? Did she come to Jesus to get heal or to love Jesus, worship and be devoted to Jesus?

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I'm just into Jesus but I'm not necessarily looking for health, this is what I learn. My motive is more pure than that woman, I'm faithful and devoted to Jesus.

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3 John 2:2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

Why did Jesus suffered all the brutal torture instead of just bleeding and died to forgive our sins? Why must Isaiah 53:4 says "Surely He has borne our griefs (choli=sickness) And carried our sorrows (makob=pain); Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted."? Is it "surely" or or "not sure"? 

Well, I don't mind living a Christian life, but I don't feel comfortable talking about supernatural. I read Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

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In that day many will say what they want to say to Jesus. If Jesus doesn't acknowledge what they say, why do we think they did what they say?

Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

And many people quoted Matthew 7:21-23 as if their group/denomination is the one who does the "will of the Father in Heaven" but at the same time they implicitly corner other group as if they don't do God's will. And if you notice they never define what it means by "the will of the Father in Heaven.", they leave it unclear and make it "mystical" to use this verse to suspect Jesus' believers who practice divine healings. Now, let Jesus define "the will of the Father in Heaven", John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”"

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I heard stories of those supernatural things when I was in Sunday School and I find it interesting, it's good for children's imagination. But as for now I'm an adult, it's good good to be realistic. Anyway, Bible's time was different from our time now.

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John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

As long as I'm a good person, that's enough for me. I don't disturb others, I love God and my neighbours...just to be safe. 

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1 Corinthians 2:4-5 "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

See...I told you, Bible is confusing. I believe what my teachers taught me, they've got academic degrees. They must be right

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Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

The Words of God is spirit and life - John 6:63 "My Words are Spirit and Life". When we meditate God's Words,  these Bible truths tear down the strongholds of flesh in us, destroy its fear and doubt that always challenge our identity in Christ.  Let us grow in the knowledge of Jesus and His Words.

And yes, Jesus / God's Words are offensive...the flesh in me (the "Pharisee" part of me) doesn't feel comfortable with that too. But it's like what Charles Spurgeon said, "The church does not define what the Bible teaches. The Bible determines what the church must teach." - Sola Scriptura