Offended by Jesus

Day 21: Matthew 13:47-58, 14:1-12

“And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.’ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” - Matthew 13:57-58 ESV

This goes to show us how ordinary of an upbringing Jesus had. He lived His first 30 years in such a way that it led everyone to believe that He was just another kid of Mary and Joseph. Though, maybe looking back, they could tell something was different with him not making a mistake at all.

It may remind us of the prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 53:2: "He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him."

There was nothing about Jesus' appearance or family life that would have suggested He was the Son of God.

Yet this is why we have such an amazing Savior. He lived like them, like us. He experienced what we are experiencing. Jesus can honestly say, "I know how you feel.”

I pray that this doesn't make us think less of Jesus. I pray that it makes us love him even more. He was 100% man and 100% God, and He proved it with every day He was here in the flesh. He is ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.

The Greek word Matthew uses for “took offense” is skandalizo, and it can also be translated as “to cause to stumble.” May Jesus' incarnation not cause us to trip. Instead, I pray it draws us even nearer to Him.