Easter - The Resurrection - Should we take Offense?
Historical Context:
What does it mean to be offended?
To be offended means to feel resentful, hurt, or insulted by something that has been said or done.
It is a subjective emotional reaction to something that goes against one's values, beliefs, or sensibilities.
Why is offense taken?
Offense can be caused by a wide range of things, including words, actions, gestures, or even the absence of expected actions.
The experience of being offended is highly personal and can vary greatly from person to person, depending on their cultural background, life experiences, and individual sensitivities.
Offense is often seen as negative and can lead to conflict, but it can also be a catalyst for growth and change when approached constructively.
What is the result of offense?
Elder Bednar said the following about the results of having offense cause one to leave the gospel of Jesus Christ - And Nothing shall offend Them - Oct 2006 Conference
And then I would say something like this. “Let me make sure I understand what has happened to you. Because someone at church offended you, you have not been blessed by the ordinance of the sacrament. You have withdrawn yourself from the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Because someone at church offended you, you have cut yourself off from priesthood ordinances and the holy temple. You have discontinued your opportunity to serve others and to learn and grow. And you are leaving barriers that will impede the spiritual progress of your children, your children’s children, and the generations that will follow.” Many times people would think for a moment and then respond: “I have never thought about it that way.”
The healing at the Pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-9 - The healing of the man by the Pool of Bethesda
What was the response of the Jews - vs 10-16 Were they offended? If so... why?
Were they JEALOUS? What perhaps isn't said in this story?
To be jealous means to feel resentment, anger, or envy towards someone because they have something that one desires or feels entitled to.
Jealousy often arises in situations where a person perceives a threat to their position or possessions, whether real or imagined.
It can also occur in interpersonal relationships, where one may feel jealous of their partner's attention or affection towards someone else.
Jealousy is a complex emotion that can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from mild discomfort to intense anger and even violence. John 5:15-16
Do we let jealousy affect us? How can we avoid jealousy in our lives?
How is Jealousy and Covetousness related?
How can we avoid being covetous of that which we do not have?
Were they happy the man was healed? Why not?
Why did they focus so much on him carrying his bed instead of the healing?
The Feeding of the 5000
It wasn't just the Leaders of the Jews that Jesus Offended Let's review the story of the feeding of the 5,000
vs 1-4 A great multitude of people follow him into a desert place because of them seeing the healings. (They followed because of the healings/miracles)
vs 5-9 Asks Philip whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? (Compare to Math 14:15-17 What is the difference - Jesus asks THEM to feed the multitude after THEY told the multitude to go get themselves something to eat)
You will find as you review the ministry of Jesus that many times it is him trying to get THEM to exercise faith, to believe, and to DO the works that he does... not just HIM doing miracles...
Philips response gives us some interesting points of note.
vs 7 - It would take 200 pennyworth of bread that every one of them might have a little or even a mouthful...
vs 8-9 Simon Peter said rather - We have a lad here with 5 barley loaves and two small fishes - but what is this among so many.
Is there any difference between Philip's and Peters response? (One concentrated on the monetary cost that would be required... one concentrated on the lack of resources available to do that which was requested of them)
Do you think Jesus didn't know that THEY didn't have enough money, or food available to feed them?
Could they have been offended by the IMPOSSIBLE request given them - at least impossible in their own minds?
How do we feel when we are faced with what we consider an impossible task?
Are we offended by the request to do such a thing? Were they?
Jesus asks everyone to sit down
He takes the loaves and prays - giving thanks and distributes it to the disciples
They take the loaves and fishes and distribute it to the people - giving them as MUCH as they wanted to eat.
When they were done - disciples went and gathered what was left
They gathered twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, of the five barley loaves which remained over and above that which had been eaten.
What was the response of the people?
John 6:15
Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by FORCE to make him a king - so he leaves them and goes alone into the wilderness
Math 14:22-23 He constrains his disciples to LEAVE him and go into a ship to the other side of the sea
There is a storm and the wind is contrary tossing the ship to and fro
Jesus Walks on the Water
Math 14:25-27
In the fourth watch of the nigh - Jesus wen unto them walking upon the sea...
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled - it is a spirit and they cried out with fear!
Why were they afraid?
What was the cause of their fear? Were they not afraid that something bad would happen to them?
Jesus tells them not to fear - and that it is he...
Math 14:28-31
Peter answers - IF it be thou - bid me come unto thee on the water (why the if clause... where is his faith?)
Jesus tells him to COME
He gets down out of the boat and walks upon the water
vs 30-31 but Peter SEEING the boisterous water was AFRAID - and beginning to sink cried to Jesus for help
Jesus stretches his hand forth and catches him and says "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Do you think Peter was offended? If not... why?
I mean he had just walked upon the water - and yet he was told O thou of little faith...
If he wasn't offended why?
What happens when Peter and Jesus enter the ship? yet another miracle...
Math 14:32-33, John 6:21
Then when Peter and Jesus enter into the ship yet another miraculous even happens.
Both the waves/wind cease and the boat instantly is transported to the shore.
The disciples response - Of a truth thou art the SON of GOD.
The Multitude returns seeking him out - when they see that he has left them
For you see they still desired him to be their king...
John 6:26-27
You seek me not because of the miracles - but rather because of the FOOD I gave you.
He tells them to labour not for the meat witch perisheth, but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life.
John 6:30-33
What sign showest thou that we ma see, and that we may believe what doest thou do?
Our Fathers did eat manna in the desert given them by God - once again wanting bread freely given.
What do you think of their requests - what was their underlying motive?
Do we also seek for reward without effort?
Do we also seek for the gift without paying the price required for the gift?
How does this relate to other things:
The obtaining of spiritual gifts, the obtaining of a get rich quick "Scheme", the removal of this or that other trial...
Remember that trials are often given to us to make us stronger. Ether 12:27
John 6:41-42
The Jews Murmur again - Is not this JESUS - the son of Joseph - whose father and mother we know?
How is it that he saith he comes down from heaven?
John 6:49-61,66-69
Jesus is the living bread - if any man eat his flesh and drink his blood hath eternal life vs (51-54)
How can this man give us his FLESH to eat?
Many of his disciples when they heard this - this is a hard saying who can hear it?
DOES THIS OFFEND YOU?
Many of his DISCIPLES went back and walked no more with him...
Will you also go away he asks those that remain...
Simon Peters response - TO WHOM shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life - thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God!
How did Peter retain his testimony and belief even when confronted with an awful doctrine that he didn't understand AT ALL.
How do we? Are we offended? Do we walk no more after him?
How can Offense destroy us?
What can we learn from these stories? How do we protect ourselves from offense?
What about difficult doctrines, or hard to understand policies and procedures, or changes that we don't initially accept?
How do we maintain our faith, and strengthen the faith of others in these situations?
The Resurrection:
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ