The Offensiveness of Christ

Sermon Summary / Transcript

In last Sunday’s sermon Jason taught from Matthew 13:53-58 about Jesus’ rejection by the people of his own hometown. We see three truths in this passage…

1 The uncommon wisdom and power of Christ. Jesus preached a sermon. We don’t know what he preached, but we do know the people were astonished by him. But before that, they were astounded at what they already knew about Jesus: his mighty works. He would do few works there among them for their lack of faith, but they knew the things had done. Everyone knew.

They were also astonished at his wisdom. They were seeing God the Father’s work being done in God the son. Peter says in his sermon at Pentecost that they knew these things, and yet they crucified him. They wanted evidence, but Christ’s authority should have been sufficient, as Jesus speaks with the authority of his Father. No “thus sayeth the Lord” with Jesus. He appeals to his own authority: “but I say to you…” He tells his disciples “all authority on Heaven and Earth has been given to me.” His authority thunders in the Sermon on the Mount just as it thundered on Mount Sanai. And yet they rejected Him.

2 The common rejection of Christ. They could not see beyond his common origins. His wisdom should have turned their eyes to Heaven, but they refused to see. Isaiah tells us that his life would be one of rejection. In his active obedience he lived a sinless life, but in his passive obedience he was stricken, smitten, and afflicted for our sake, not just on the cross, but throughout his life on Earth. His own family, his hometown, the powers that be, all who were created in His image rejected him. Why? Because they took offense.

The world is not merely amused or disappointed in Jesus, but disgusted and disdainful. The world hates the Kingdom. Darkness does not like the light. The Nazarites were offended by what Jesus claimed to be. It is never a lack of evidence that prevents one from coming to Christ, but always unbelief. None of us want Christ to hold up a mirror to our souls. We don’t want to be shown our sin. We all, even Christians, struggle with unbelief. And so we must never make Christ common or familiar. The cross must never bore us. Such things are evidence of unbelief.

3 The uncommon danger of unbelief. Jesus did few miracles there because there was no faith. He won’t throw pearls before swine. When unbelief is challenged we must respond rightly. We must let Christ, in all of his offense, press in. Light into dark. Not all at once – thankfully – but by degrees. Christ will offend the world, and he will offend others through us. How did Christ keep going? He knew what awaited him, and so we know what awaits us.

In our roles we may be mocked, called bigots, or worse, but we keep going knowing what awaits us. Two great concerns face the church (our time in a bubble is ending): 1) We must hold onto the truth; and 2) We must actively labor and proclaim and stand upon that truth. Some will be offended, but some will have ears to hear and will come to Christ. Because Christ is worthy.