The Simplicity of Jesus’s Salvation Message Seems Foolish and Offends Many
It shouldn’t surprise us that the gospel is offensive, that the good news of Jesus offends people.
Quoting God, the prophet Jeremiah writes that the word of the Lord is offensive to them (Jeremiah 6:10). Not only does this apply to the people in Jeremiah’s time, but it’s also prophetic. Fast forward to Jesus.
A Hard Teaching
One time the disciples struggle with what the Teacher says, even more so than usual. They say it’s a hard teaching and wonder if anyone can accept it. Aware of their grumbling, Jesus asks them, “Does this offend you?” (John 6:61).
This isn’t a rhetorical question. It does offend many of Jesus’s followers, and they turn away from him.
They reject him because his teaching doesn’t align with their expectations. It comes across as mere foolishness, and they want nothing to do with it. Jesus’s gospel is offensive to them.
Get Behind Me Satan
Another time, Jesus teaches his followers about what will happen. He will suffer greatly, be rejected by the religious leaders, and be executed. Three days later, he will rise again.
Peter chides him privately. Jesus rebukes his well-intended disciple. “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33).
In doing so, however, Jesus isn’t proclaiming that Peter is Satan.
A better understanding is that Satan uses Peter’s words to attack Jesus and discourage him from completing his mission. Perhaps Satan even influences what Peter says, but the disciple is not Satan.
A Precious Cornerstone
Peter later writes about this truth of who the Savior is in his first letter to Jesus’s followers. He teaches that Jesus is the living Stone—rejected by the people, but chosen by God, a precious cornerstone.
To believers, he is indeed a precious cornerstone, but his truth is a stumbling block to those who do not believe. It causes them to struggle over what to do (1 Peter 2:4-8).
It doesn’t make sense to them. It’s foolishness. They take offense at the good news of Jesus.
Paul concurs. He writes that Jesus’s message of the cross—of him dying for our sins to reconcile us with the Father—is foolishness to unbelievers. Yet to his followers, it’s the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Yes, to those who do not believe, the gospel is offensive. The good news of Jesus doesn’t make sense.
Receive Salvation in Faith
People think they need to do something to earn their salvation. They believe they must work for it. They assume they must first change their behavior and do the right things if they have any hope of being saved.
The reality of Jesus’s truth is the opposite. All people need to do is to receive his gift of eternal life in faith. Then they are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
They don’t need to earn it—they can’t. It’s that simple. And this simple message offends some people.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.