It is not unusual for people to become offended by God because He didn’t meet their expectations. Many expect their lives to be trouble-free when they become believers. But when a car accident or an illness comes, they wonder why God, if He is sovereign, didn’t prevent the tragedy. God often uses things we don’t understand to accomplish His work. In their disappointment and offense, people in these situations may walk away from God and their faith.
Jesus Offended the Jews
The Jews of Jesus’ day thought they knew what the Messiah would look like when he came. They expected a political ruler who would free them from Roman rule and lead them to be their own nation again. But Jesus didn’t come that way even though He fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. He just fulfilled them in an unexpected way, and the Jews refused to re-evaluate their interpretation of Scripture.
Mark 6:3b They (the Jews) were deeply offended and refused to believe in him (Jesus). [1] One definition of skandalon, the Greek word often translated offense, reflects this. It became a figure of speech applied to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah, that they rejected him and by their obstinacy made a shipwreck of their salvation.[2]
Paul addressed this issue in one of his letters. 1 Corinthians 1: 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God… 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength… 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.[3]
Don’t Let Offense Shipwreck Your Faith
Oftentimes we don’t react to how God works any better than the Jews of Jesus’ day. We must realize that He works in ways that are beyond our comprehension. Isaiah 55: 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” [4]
God never promised a problem-free life here on this earth. We don’t get to skip over the valley of the shadow of death, but God promises to be with us. Psalm 23: 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5]
God loved us so much that He (Jesus is part of the Trinity) came to earth to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him. John 3: 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[6]
When you are confused by circumstances here on earth, don’t be offended by God and walk away. Instead, push into Scripture and prayer to draw closer to Him. Allow His strength to get you through hard times. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/03battle-11-8-26
[1,3,4,6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 23:4). (2025). Crossway Bibles.
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