February 20th, 2025
Thursday, February 20th
Don’t be Offended
Anna Williams
“Blessed [joyful, spiritually favored] is he who does not take offense at Me.” Luke 7:23 AMP
The account shared in Luke 7 about the conversation between John’s followers and Jesus can be a little confusing at first glance. John has already baptized Jesus and witnessed the booming voice of God declaring Jesus is His Son. So, why is John sending messengers to confirm he’s the Messiah?
If you look back earlier in Luke or read the parallel passage in Matthew 11, you find that John’s preaching has landed him in Herod’s jail. Instead of traveling around and “opening the show” for the main headliner Jesus, he’s wrongfully stuck in prison. He’s spent his life preparing for the Messiah’s arrival only to now be benched at the sidelines.
Jesus understands John’s frustrations and responds in a loving, grace-filled way. He demonstrates the power of The Messiah and then reminds everyone that the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t operate by the World’s ways. John himself is a great example of this. Who in their right mind would venture to the wilderness to seek out a wild-haired dude calling people snakes unless God’s spirit was working through him?
We must remember that God doesn’t fit in any box we could ever construct. He operates in ways that are beyond us. When those ways don’t make sense, we should draw closer with faith until we gain understanding – not turn away offended.
Don’t be Offended
Anna Williams
“Blessed [joyful, spiritually favored] is he who does not take offense at Me.” Luke 7:23 AMP
The account shared in Luke 7 about the conversation between John’s followers and Jesus can be a little confusing at first glance. John has already baptized Jesus and witnessed the booming voice of God declaring Jesus is His Son. So, why is John sending messengers to confirm he’s the Messiah?
If you look back earlier in Luke or read the parallel passage in Matthew 11, you find that John’s preaching has landed him in Herod’s jail. Instead of traveling around and “opening the show” for the main headliner Jesus, he’s wrongfully stuck in prison. He’s spent his life preparing for the Messiah’s arrival only to now be benched at the sidelines.
Jesus understands John’s frustrations and responds in a loving, grace-filled way. He demonstrates the power of The Messiah and then reminds everyone that the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t operate by the World’s ways. John himself is a great example of this. Who in their right mind would venture to the wilderness to seek out a wild-haired dude calling people snakes unless God’s spirit was working through him?
We must remember that God doesn’t fit in any box we could ever construct. He operates in ways that are beyond us. When those ways don’t make sense, we should draw closer with faith until we gain understanding – not turn away offended.
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