the Rock

Today... Jesus's words... in the reading through... 

"And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Luke 7:23

ESV

...meshed with the journal from the study with sisters...

When we do our own thing in spite of what Jesus has said about it, then we are acting like we know better than Jesus. Choose an area where you disagree with Jesus and try completing this sentence. I know better than Jesus when it comes to ______________ (area of disagreement) and the reasons I believe I know better are____________...  [from the not a fan. Follower's Journal]

An "area of disagreement" with Jesus most likely translates to an "offense"...

offend... in Merriam-Websters... to cause dislike, anger, or vexation...

Jesus's teachings were... and are... confrontational. Here are a few I read through today...

Blessed are you who are poor...

Blessed are you who are hungry...

Blessed are you who weep...

Blessed are you when people hate you...

These alone contradict what the world says about blessing... and then He says...

Woe to you who are rich...

Woe to you who are full...

Woe to you who laugh...

Woe to you, when all people speak well of you...

Again... these we believe to be blessings... not woes... but to top it off He adds...

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...

bless those who curse you...

pray for those who abuse you...

To the one who strikes your cheek, offer the other also...

Lend, expecting nothing in return...

Upside down from the world... from the teachings and expectations of culture... 

...the Most High... he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil...

It gets even more interesting to look at the original language...

offended... the Greek literally meaning... to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaph. to offend...

A study note linked offended with an Old Testament verse... a prophetic message...

And [the Lord] will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel... And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken...

Isaiah 8:14-15

ESV

He will be... a sanctuary... or a stumbling block... blessed is the one who is not offended... He is a precious cornerstone... or a rock of offense... it all depends on if you agree... or disagree... with His Way...

Do you find yourself in a disagreement with the One you call... Lord...?

Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

Luke 6:46

ESV

Consider... is it because He has offended you...?

Be ware... you may be headed for a fall...