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Offended by Jesus
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
Luke 7:21–23
Dr. J. Vernon McGee told the story of going out to eat with a group of pastors. He said, “As we entered one of the drive-in places in that area, a carhop approached us. She was wearing about her neck the largest cross that I have ever seen. The cross was jet black against her white uniform. I asked her why she was wearing such a large cross. Her reply was, ‘Don’t you think it’s pretty?’ I countered, ‘Do you know what that cross means?’ She said, ‘No, I do not.’ Then I asked her, ‘Did you know that 1900 years ago Jesus Christ died on a cross for you and for me?’ ‘Huh?’ she asked. Then I gave her the story of salvation. Her only answer was, ‘Well, I saw it downtown and liked it, so I bought it for an ornament.’ She said that it meant nothing more to her.”
The world downplaying the message of the gospel and the cross is sad but not surprising. The great tragedy in our day is that some who profess to be Christians are downplaying the message we are commanded to proclaim to the world in order to be more acceptable to society. God calls us to something different. “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:12-13).
Luke 7:21–23
Dr. J. Vernon McGee told the story of going out to eat with a group of pastors. He said, “As we entered one of the drive-in places in that area, a carhop approached us. She was wearing about her neck the largest cross that I have ever seen. The cross was jet black against her white uniform. I asked her why she was wearing such a large cross. Her reply was, ‘Don’t you think it’s pretty?’ I countered, ‘Do you know what that cross means?’ She said, ‘No, I do not.’ Then I asked her, ‘Did you know that 1900 years ago Jesus Christ died on a cross for you and for me?’ ‘Huh?’ she asked. Then I gave her the story of salvation. Her only answer was, ‘Well, I saw it downtown and liked it, so I bought it for an ornament.’ She said that it meant nothing more to her.”
The world downplaying the message of the gospel and the cross is sad but not surprising. The great tragedy in our day is that some who profess to be Christians are downplaying the message we are commanded to proclaim to the world in order to be more acceptable to society. God calls us to something different. “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:12-13).
Today’s Growth Principle:
Let us never be ashamed to publicly declare the message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone.
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