When Jesus spoke, some people were amazed, and some people were offended. Mark 6: 2, some amazed, Mark 6:3 some took offense. The same message, but it affects people differently. Why does it affect people differently? Mth 15: 12 the disciples asked Jesus don't you know the Pharisees were offended with what you said? Again, some people liked the messages, others were really offended. In 1 Kings 22: 13 all prophets said the same thing. Micaiah gave the exact message in verse 17. True, exact, honest, Godly messages are really hard to accept. The truth hurts. But it does so much good for the character. Paul explains it in relation to smells. A stench, or something pleasant. 2 Cor 2: 16 has the same message, but different responses. Is 55:11 the word of God will accomplish what it sent out to achieve. And what is that? Achieve in our lives the work of the LORD to make us better, or to achieve the fact that we will never repent, but that we will perish. In the same way, many messages I give, may well hurt people, or offend them. But these very people should ask, themselves, why am I offended? Belts, pots, figs, tables, bread, wineskins, there are thousands of ways the gospel message is brought alive to people, so that they may well remember something that happened, during the massage, to drive a point home. Words...monotonous tones, talk, talk, talk, can be so boring. But throw tables and chairs around as Jesus did, or throw coins on an offering table, and the sleepy people wake up, and get the point, and they wont forget. The message, the deliverer, the recipient, all play the part together. For one reason..to grow in the knowledge and grace of the ways of God. Those destined for separation from God, will always be offended. Those destined for eternal life, will always be corrected. By nature, the gospel is an offense. It always will be.
MCC Admin