Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
As it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 9:33, ESV2011)
John the Baptist was in King Herod’s prison because he dared to preach against that man’s sinful ways. Herod and his mistress (his brother’s wife) were greatly offended with him, so John was looking at a death sentence. John had been preaching in the wilderness as the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah, telling all who heard him to repent and prepare their hearts to receive the Christ who was about to come. But what does the scripture say about this Messiah? What would He be like (See Isaiah ch. 53)?
The Spirit of God was upon John and his preaching offended many, but had he forgotten that even Jesus and His ways would be a stone of stumbling? We go on to read that while he was in prison, John sent messengers to Jesus to ask Him a question.
“John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” …And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Luke 7:19-23, ESV2011 – emphasis added)
In our immaturity as new Christians, we have often received a gospel that if we just accept Jesus into our hearts everything will be wonderful from then on. After the Spirit comes into us, things do seem to be all new and blessings abound. Having the love of Christ in us is a real heartwarming experience. But our Father is not raising up “hot house Christians.” At first we may be protected from the elements like plants in a greenhouse, but eventually those plants have to be set out to face the real world of cold nights and biting insects.
So here we have John, who had been looked up to by thousands as the incarnation of “Elijah the prophet who would come before the great and terrible day of the Lord (See Malachi 4:5-6).” But now he was in prison and his only hope was that Jesus would do something about it as a conquering Messiah. “If you are really the One, then get me out of here!” And what was Jesus’ reply? He enumerated the many things that marked Him as the Messiah and then said, “Blessed is he who is not offended with me.” What? What does that have to do with anything?
You see, my dear Christian friends, if we are to be conformed into the image of Christ, something is necessary. We must see Him as HE is with spiritual eyes, not how we want Him to be in our immaturity. Oh, How we love to be healed, how we love to have everything we need provided by Him. Remember the crowds that wanted to make Him King because He fed them? But they were soon offended with Him because He preached hard things. The offense that day was so great that not only the large crowd of thousands left Him but even His 70 disciples ceased to follow Him (see John ch. 6). It is one thing to feast on free loaves and fishes, but another thing to eat His flesh and drink His blood.
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (John 6:52-56, ESV2011)
What did He mean by this saying? Many were offended with Him that day for He put them to the test. In effect He was saying, “You followed me because I fed you, but will you follow me to the cross? Will you partake in my cup of sufferings or will a suffering and dying Messiah be too much for you? Didn’t Jesus say, “If any man will be my disciple let him take up HIS cross and follow me.” THIS is what it means to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Christ in us will be persecuted. Suffering will come into our lives. We loved Jesus as our provider who made “everything come up roses,” but will we take up our own cross and continue to follow Him even unto death? He was talking about something much deeper than eating a cracker and drinking a thimble of grape juice in a religious ritual on “communion Sunday” when it comes to eating His flesh and drinking His blood. He was talking about “the fellowship of His sufferings.” John had entered into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings in Herod’s prison. Just as he was the forerunner of the gospel, he was soon to become the forerunner in type of Christ’s death.
We are now living in a time where people are acting out of great offense which Jesus foretold. saying,
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures [Grk. hupomeno – to bear up courageously] to the end will be saved. (Matt 24:12-13, ESV2011)
Lawlessness is the byword of this hour. Everywhere we look in this world people are rising up and protesting, rioting, looting and even killing one another. All authority has become their target, even literally as we see policemen killed in the streets for trying to enforce the law and officials homes being attacked at night terrifying their families. Men are casting off all restraint. Is this something strange? Job described what we are seeing in our streets around the world.
But God has loosened his cord and afflicted me; so they’ve cast off all restraints in my presence. A wretched crowd ambushes me to my right; they trip my feet; they build up their path of calamity for me. They tear up my pathways; they profit from my destruction [looting], and they need no help to do this! They come like those who breach through a wall; as everything crashes around me they’ll roll on and on! (Job 30:11-14, ISV)
Need I say more? The question is, will we who are Christians let the love of Christ leave our hearts as we become offended and react in kind or will we endure in His love unto the end? Yes, the true gospel of Christ will bring with it an offense into our lives. Our natural man, our old natures, will be offended.
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.” (Matt 15:12-13, ESV2011)
The times we are in will test us as to whether our Father has really planted us IN Christ or we are simply “hot house Christians” who bought into a false prosperity gospel or some other convenient lie. Yes, “blessed is he who is not offended in me.”
Oh Father, give us your grace and change our hearts so that we are not offended in all that you are allowing to come upon us. Open the eyes of our hearts so that we truly see that “ALL things work together for those who love God and are called according to Your purpose.” Amen.
A Wilderness Voice 
AMEN to this prayer!
This was an excellent exposition on the time we live in, my brother! ⭐
Actually, I stumbled over the same verses you quoted from Matthew 15 today as well….. every plant not planted by God will be rooted up…. I pondered on this verse while pulling the weeds and cutting down withered plants on the balcony. So often the weeds have stronger roots than useful plants have. Crop plants are so often more sensitive, too. Isn’t it true that being a Christian seems to be much easier for those who still follow the rules given to them in Christian organizations, aka churches? 🙄
However, taking up our crosses and dying to our old self nature, its wishes and desires concerning this earthly life, this is the narrow path that leads to eternal life already here on earth. Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ as John 17:3 confirms. This is our gratification, Michael. No self-gratification, no fame, no riches and no appreciation, neither from Church Christians nor from this world BUT from God! We are given His peace, His love, and His joy through His grace. And at times He even heals us, though not always as we both know. Still praying for you, my dear brother!
In fact, Michael, you are truly a humorous writer! 🙂 I so loved the wording “…“hot house Christians”…” and the following picture, too:
“He was talking about something much deeper than eating a cracker and drinking a thimble of grape juice in a religious ritual when it comes to eating His flesh and drinking His blood.”
You made my day!!! 😀
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Susanne, you made me smile and my heart laugh. I am glad you were blessed by what I shared. Yes, we can suffer much rejection by those who only make a pretense of following Christ, in fact Paul wrote that we are the smell of death to some and the smell of life to others who are being saved.
I once, not long ago, had lunch with a group of church Christian (not my habit for sure) and one whom they esteemed as a “somebody” went on and on about his “great ministry” he was involved with of searching under the streets of Jerusalem for the arc of the covenant. I only asked him one question, “Have you ever read the Book of Hebrews?” Not only HE got offended with me, but the whole table full of them took up the offense. How dare I question God’s anointed?
Interestingly enough T.A. Sparks in this mornings “Open Windows” addressed this very thing.
Jesus said it best, “Unless God builds that house, they who labor build it in vain.” Sparks continued,
Isn’t funny that I chose the same line of reasoning with this man who was so proud of his great endeavor of digging up those things which are passed? Yes, my dear sister, it is much easier to follow the path most trodden… Narrow is the path that leads to eternal life, but broad is the path that leads to destruction.
It truly is a blessing to have found another with whom I can trod this less traveled path with, that has made all the difference. 🙂 ❤
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Reading this exchange reminded me of the difference between the fig tree that advertises itself as fruitful but only offers leaves, and the branch in the true vine, that just quietly abides in the Father and in Christ and thus is given the blessing of fruit. No great effort. Just abiding. Believing. Trusting. Loving. Holding on to God.
Yes, indeed, when the communion with Christ is your greatest treasure there will be true fruit. When you aspire to “ministry” and being seen, you become like that cursed fig tree.
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Thanks, Carina. Yes, it is all in the abiding and trusting in Him, not by works least any man should boast. It is just as Jesus said, “The flesh profits noting, My words they are Spirit and they are life.”
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Amen again, Michael, our fellowship has turned out a great blessing from God! 🙂 ❤
As you described your experience with church Christians, the title that popped up in my mind was “The Making of a Guru” (I do not know the book myself, only the title). There is someone who claims to have a great ministry and others who believe him. Soon they follow this guy instead of Jesus and so another anti-Christ(ian) story has begun… 🙄 So sad. 😦 There are cults wherever you look, not only in Christendom. In economics, in politics, in other religions and in all kinds of esoteric groups… Yuk! It is is truly the last time, my brother, but nobody knows how long, still … until Jesus really returns.
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You are so right. Anything, person or group that takes the place of Christ in a life is antichrist in nature and can quickly turn into a cult following. Yes, it is sad. 😦
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Yes I want to say Amen to this blog as well and hello to both you Michael and Suzanne! Never heard the term Hot House Christians myself but I see what you mean. And so true about the religious rituals of the cracker and thimble of grape juice! I even had to smile and chuckle! But yes a very somber message indeed. My life looks far from pleasant and especially in this masked world! Ugh. I rely heavily on reading lips.
God bless you. May we all endure to the end and pray to be pruned and ready to endure.
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Hi Stacey,
Good to hear from you again. Im glad I made you smile. I know what you mean about the masks. I also have to read lips, especially when trying to understand women’s high pitched voices and the masks interfere and it even worse when they wear a mask and stand behind a plexiglass barrier. Ugh is right!
God bless you and we will be praying for you,
Michael
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A very good word Michael. Hoping all is well with you guys. We are still moving around here in TX:). Becky M
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Hi Becky, it is good to hear from you again. We are doing well, though my body has been telling me I am not a kid any more. We got our first winter show fall last night, about six inches. I will try and move it with our ATV and avoid the shoveling as much as I can. Are you still flying a light plane? Thanks for your encouraging note,
Michael
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Michael, what a marvelous post. As we say here in th south, “you really shucked th corn m’boy!” I know you are aware of our situation re: the loss of our home and property, our finances drying up, health issues, etc. that our gracious Lord has allowed to come upon us. Any of these things are certainly reasons to get offended but I have learned to be grateful that HE has counted us worthy of these trials. It has become crystal clear to me what John the Baptist meant when he uttered those chilling words, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Lately, I find my head on a swivel looking for the “headsman and his axe.” All that being said, it is such a joy to know that these same afflictions are being experienced by many in the Body of CHRiST throughout the world. All of the cliche’s in the world can’t ease the pain and suffering. Only CHRiST and CHRiST only eh brother? I embraced the prayer you added at the end of the post. Blessings on you and Dottie. I love you dear brother and long for the day we see each other again.
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Hello, Ken. It is good to hear from you again. We have been wondering if you guys were okay with yet another hurricane blowing through your town down there in LA. I think I sent you a text, but got no answer so I figured your cell service was blown down. You have been in our prayers.
As you know, we went through 14 years of spiritual wilderness during the 80’s and 90’s in which the banker-wolf was knocking at our door. During that time I had to take a job on a God-forsaken volcanic island in Alaska. It was stripped of all trees and shrubs because of the constant high winds and He stripped away everything I once took pride in during that time as well. He then went on to strip me of all my favorite doctrines learned from men. Yes, John’s words were driven home, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Even now I look back on things I have said and done since then and I shutter. I think that the headsman’s ax starts at our feet and works its way up one slice at a time. Paul put it this way,
I had once thought this would all end and I would come out of it in time to be a “super saint” here on earth because of all I had gone through, but even in that thought God could see the pride that was still seeking to hide in a religious garment. So the process of death continues. “Always” is a long time, wouldn’t you say? Yet we have the promise, “that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” I am reminded often about Ezekiel’s discourse with God as he stood in a valley of dry bones,
He was stripped down of all his religious presumption and was at the mercy of God for he beheld a type that spoke of his own standing with God, “And behold the bones were VERY dry.” The “life is in the blood” and the blood is made in the bone marrow. There is “dry” and then there is “VERY dry.” God is after the very marrow in us, the origin of our self life, so the process goes on and on until He gets it. But we have a wonderful promise,
What a glorious day that will be, my brother, when our Daddy gets what He is after… Many sons unto HIS glory. I hope Dorothy and I can see you again in the days ahead. We need to make another trip down to Houston in this coming year to meet our latest great grand daughter once this Covid craziness is under control. Maybe we can connect then. We love you both, too,
Michael
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I have never heard this so clearly explained. Thank you, Michael. ❤
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Anna, I know what an offense you have suffered in your youth (I read your book). Like Jesus said, “Offenses must needs come, but woe to the one by which they come.” Our heavenly Father loves you Anna and longs to hold you in His arms and see you soak up His love with all your heart. He desires this of all of us, especially those of us who had abusive fathers here on earth.
I am glad you found this latest article helpful. You are welcome, Anna.
Love you IN Him. ❤
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Hi Michael, I often remind myself of those words of Jesus. “Blessed is he who is not offended in Me.” It is indispensable counsel against the incursions of doubt and bitterness and resentment that in trying times are ever seeking to find lodging in the heart.
John the Baptist, it seems to me, was thinking of Isaiah 61:1,2 when he asked the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” That passage speaks of the Anointed One, the Christ, preaching the Gospel to the poor, and binding up the brokenhearted… and liberating the prisoners… Yet here is John languishing in prison. So he sends a message to Jesus. Are you the One who is to come, or not? When are you going to spring me out of here?
Jesus conveys His response to John citing that same passage from Isaiah 61. Go and tell John that “…the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them…” It is here that Jesus ought to have continued with something like… “and the captives are released from prison.”
Instead He says, “And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Surely this is a loving message to John. “I know you’re in prison, John, trust Me, I haven’t forgotten you. Blessed is he that is not offended in Me.”
So I lay this to heart in my own life when Jesus has not come forth as I hoped. I trust that His delay means only that He has something greater in store for me, as He did for John the Baptist.
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Allan, I know that you struggle with medical issues as do I. I have seen that my physical afflictions have limited me from going after success in this world system even on a personal scale. Could it be that in the economy of our Father that these sufferings, as adverse as they seem, are part of that “something greater” or at least they are doing a deeper work in us to allow us to be a more clear channel of His word, not only by our words but by the way we face our sufferings? I am reminded of Jesus words just before He went to the cross,
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28, ESV2011)
There is an earthly glory and then there is a heavenly glory. Like Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rom 8:18, ESV2011)
One time when our kids were young I prayed, “God, I don’t get it. I will probably figure out how to properly raise our children once the youngest one is leaving home. And I will probably finally start living my life according to your will just before I die!” I heard Him say back to me, “My son, I am not preparing you for eternity on THIS world.” God sees things from an eternal perspective so our temporal lives don’t always make sense to our natural way of thinking. Thanks for sharing your insight, my brother.
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Michael, you asked rhetorically: “Could it be that in the economy of our Father that these sufferings, as adverse as they seem, are part of that “something greater” or at least they are doing a deeper work in us to allow us to be a more clear channel of His word, not only by our words but by the way we face our sufferings?” Amen. This is our hope in the trials, isn’t it.
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Yes, my brother, to be like Him and see Him as He is.
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This reminds me of Hebrews 12, where the text says “through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.” But alas, the text also says, “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth”.
We all like to be delivered from trials through our faith. But sometimes our faith is given for us to endure the trials. When you go through the fire it will not burn you (though your body may be scorched), when you go through the rivers, you will not drown (though you may physically die).
It takes true faith to be more than conquerors when we experience some of the things Paul listed in Romans 8. Being a Christian has never been easy.
A very sober message indeed, but very necessary.
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Thanks, Carina. There is no neutral ground with Satan. As one scripture says, “He who seeks after righteousness makes himself a prey.” If we are not suffering since we have become Christians we better take a look at our level of commitment to Jesus and His kingdom. Like He said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Couple that with, “You are more than overcomers IN Christ Jesus.” Being IN Him is the only way we can be of good cheer and overcome the evils in this world that seek to pull us down.
Bless you with His fullness, dear sister,
Michael
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Amen, indeed!
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Thanks, Louise. I hope this winter is being kind to you and your family up there.
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Hi Michael,
Thank you for reminding me once again my purpose, to worship and glorify God. As I continue to carry my cross I am also reminded that it is a wonderful blessing!! It is easy to get distracted by worldly things and blessings. I confess to becoming offended lately and whining about nothing. We will reign with Jesus, if we suffer with Him.
Your sister in Christ,
Wanda
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Hi Wanda,
Yes, whining and kicking against His goad sounds familiar. We are all being changed into “prisoners of the Lord” in one way or another it would seem. Like Paul wrote,
Paul went on to write, “…the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed within us.” So, Father, please forgive our whining and get on with what you know is best for us regarding our eternity with you. Amen
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Esta fue una palabra de aliento a mi corazón, en medio de mis prisiones, en donde el Señor me tiene. Gracias Michael por esta maravillosa palabra que llega profundo a mi vida. Un abrazo mi hermano querido. Patricia
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Patricia wrote:
This was a word of encouragement to my heart, in the midst of my prisons, where the Lord has me. Thank you Michael for this wonderful word that reaches deep into my life. A hug my dear brother. Patricia
Dear Patricia,
It seems that God has many of us in one form of prison or another. It was good to hear from you again and that I am not alone in this area. Paul wrote that he was a “prisoner of the Lord,” not a prisoner of Caesar for he saw God’s hand in it all. I recently wrote the following to an old friend and brother who has Parkinson’s disease,
“I now have two vertebra with compression fractures and deteriorating disc disease and this has dampened my ability to do as much as I would want. Even travel of any distance is painful. I am reminded of what Jesus told Peter,
I find it hard to ask anyone to help me after being self-sufficient for so many years. Our oldest son lives about 20 minutes away and he comes over and helps when I am in a bind and finally ask for help. Some of us are dying on the installment plan… a little at a time. But God uses this that we might not be so focused on what we can do and get accomplished regarding the things of this world. He wants us to focus on Him and His kingdom and be used to glorify Him rather than ourselves with the works of our bodies and minds. Like John said, “He must increase and I must decrease.” I still write on my blog, but have to wait longer between posting for some inspiration. Like Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” He seems to be answering something I prayed for fifty years ago, that I would live a life that has fully entered into His rest. In Hebrews chapter four we read, “There remains a rest for the people of God… Labor therefore to enter into His rest.” He goes on to write that even Christians can fail to enter into His rest. Yes, coming into this place has taken a lot of labor… the key word here is “TAKEN.”
I am glad that what I wrote has reached into your prison and heart, dear sister,
Love IN Christ,
Michael
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Gracias Michael, por esa maravillosa palabra. Perdón por responder hasta ahora, el año pasado fue un poco difícil. Todavía sigo en mis prisiones, pero confiada en que el Señor tiene todo bajo control y que Él sabe lo que hace, hago parte de un pueblo que está siendo llevado a los propósitos eternos de Dios y esta es mi esperanza en medio de tantas situaciones difíciles y que a veces se salen de las manos.
Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños atrasado, diciembre fue un mes ajetreado, pero me acordé de ti y en mis oraciones te llevé, también te deseo un año 2021 abundante de la vida de Él en ti.
Me alegra saber que tu hijo te ayuda, eso es un alivio muy grande y Dios siempre envía sus ángeles para ayudarnos.
Que el Señor abra nuestros ojos cada día más a Él y que el Señor siga siendo una pasión por vivir, eso le dará sentido a todo lo que suceda con nosotros y en este mundo.
Un abrazo gigante mi amigo y hermano, te llevo en mis oraciones y en mi corazón.
En el amor de nuestro Señor.
Patricia
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Patricia wrote:
Thanks Michael, for that wonderful word. Sorry to answer so far, last year was a bit difficult. I am still in my prisons, but confident that the Lord has everything under control and that He knows what He is doing, I am part of a people who are being led to the eternal purposes of God and this is my hope in the midst of so many difficult situations. and that sometimes they get out of hand.
I wish you a happy belated birthday, December was a busy month, but I remembered you and in my prayers I took you, I also wish you an abundant year 2021 of His life in you.
I am glad to know that your son helps you, that is a very great relief and God always sends his angels to help us.
May the Lord open our eyes to Him every day and may the Lord continue to be a passion for living, that will give meaning to everything that happens with us and in this world.
A giant hug my friend and brother, I carry you in my prayers and in my heart.
In the love of our Lord.
Patricia
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Patricia, sorry but this comment of yours slipped through my attention until now… Yes it is a time of a lot of confusion in this world and it all begs for our attention. I am glad to read your latest comment and see you are doing much better with your focus is on our Lord and not on this world. We are both in a better place since you wrote this comment. 🙂
A big brotherly hug to you, my sister! ❤
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Got to admit, after 34 years walking with Him, I am not bearing up courageously.
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Mark, I think you might be in a better place than you think. Like we read in Zechariah, its, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” He wants us to throw ourselves totally on Him for our strength and courage as He sees we need it. Until then we all tend to hide in a winepress. Thanks for your honesty.
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