Why Do People Get So Offended By Jesus?

As I begin my annual journey through the Bible I can’t help but think as I read Matthew chapter 1 the dilemma Jesus brings to those who have made their pride their most prized possession (which is all of us). When the angel of the Lord was speaking to Joseph, explaining what was happening, it’s very clear to see God’s intentions for humanity. First, Joseph was to name the baby Jesus, which means “the Lord (God) Saves”. Secondly, Joseph was told the baby would fulfill the prophecy God made through His prophet, and that He would be called “Immanuel”, which means “God with us”. If God’s intention was to save us from our sins, and walk with us, then why do people get so offended by Jesus? Why do people oppose Jesus so much? Why do people hate God and blame Him for everything? The simple answer is PRIDE. We, as human beings, don’t want to be told what to do. We don’t want to have to live within boundaries. We don’t want people doing things for us, and not be able to take the credit for it. But all of this wouldn’t even be possible if God didn’t give us “free will”. That means the very freedom God gives us, out of his immense love for us, is also the very thing when not received in the proper manner, turns us against Him. Gods loves us so much that He was willing to risk being hated, by giving us the ability to not respond to His love, His grace, and His mercy. Think about that for a minute. If God was like those that accuse Him of all kinds of evil, then why give us “free will”? Wouldn’t we be better off as robots, doing everything He wishes? The rewards that come from people who respond properly to this gift of “free will” cannot be matched. Knowing that people truly appreciate you for what you do and who you are with no strings attached, is the greatest gift anyone could possibly receive. God gives us this gift with that same attitude (while we were still sinners Christ died for us), so that proves His genuineness in His love for us. The funny thing about pride is that it’s selective. Think about it. Our welfare system has lasted decades. We have professional beggars on street corners in our largest towns. People rat out illegal deals to save themselves from punishment. Pride is selective, yet it’s the number one excuse people use to reject God’s love for us. If you really want to paint the picture crystal clear, there really is no excuse for rejecting God’s grace. It’s an abuse of our “free will”. It’s taking something meant for our good, and twisting it into something that ultimately hurts ourselves. It’s listening to the very first person, Satan (Lucifer), who rebelled against God. And it’s being an ungrateful, irresponsible, and taker-of-advantage of the Greatest Giver of Grace there will ever be. Pride guarantees one thing: the longer we give into it the more misery we will experience. Ultimately, it will be forever. Jesus’s purpose is to rescue us from this self-inflicted misery, called sin. How we respond to Jesus’ calling, reveals what kind of person we truly are. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!She will give birth to a son,and they will call Him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’ ” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25