Luke - Offended or Not Offended, that's the question

Luke 7:20-23, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

This passage speaks to the very deep parts of my being. There is so much here. Raw honesty. Doubt. Frustration. Revelation. Truth. Challenge. It's got it all!

Here John asks the question that many of us think but not dare say out loud - Jesus, are you who you say you are!? John wanted to know if his life had been wasted. John had given his life to "prepare the way" but was it really worth it. Jesus was not the Messiah John was expecting, or anyone else for that matter. It was thought that the coming Messiah would rage war against the adversaries of Israel and free them from the oppression they had experienced (forever). So here John and the Jews are looking for Jesus to be the super-hero savior who is going to open a can of whoop ___ on their oppressors.

So to say Jesus wasn't who John expected is an understatement. Yet John believed God. So he boldly asks "are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" I love John's boldness! But even more I love Jesus' response...

He doesn't simply say 'Yes, John I am the prophesied Messiah.' No he gives him a gentle love tap on the cheek and answers - the blind see, the cripple walk, lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead live, the poor receive good news. Ok John, does that answer your question? I am He.

But it's the last sentence that absolutely brings me to my knees. "And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." Ouch! You see John's heart was offended by Jesus. He was expecting one thing and was getting something much different and he was hurt.

This resonates in the deep places of my heart as I struggle with offense. My heart is quick to be offended by Jesus. And He knows it. But here's the awesome part, Jesus PROMISES that if we keep our hearts from being offended when He doesn't meet our expectations that we will be blessed!

And Jesus keeps His promises!

~Nicole