Observation:
Jesus gives revelation to the disciples of what is to come. Some things are going to happen quickly (Christ's death and resurrection), some things might take just a little longer (the baptism of the Holy Spirit) and others won't happen until they die (seeing the place God has prepared for them in heaven). Christ is describing what the journey is going to look like on the road they have chosen to travel, the road of righteousness. There are some really cool and amazing things that they will experience on this journey, but there will also be some hard and hurtful things they will experience as well. God is saying, "don't get stuck in the bad places, allow them to make you look more like me then move on". On this journey they will have many opportunities to be offended, but choose not to be offended, it is the only way to keep moving forward.
Application:
As Christians we tend to be surprised when people hurt us or bad circumstances come our way, and thus we harbor offense. Yet Christ makes it clear that there will be opportunities to be offended all around us, so don't be surprised and choose not to be offended by remembering His words. He says in John 16, that the Holy Spirit will remind us of all that Christ has said and will give us unlimited access to Him so that we can avoid being offended. In my experience of being a Christian, offense has been one of the greatest challenges to overcome. In the midst of hurt it is so easy to dwell on the pain and feed the offense, instead of cleansing the wound with the healing balm of God's word and promises. I read a book a few years back called the Bait of Offense. In the book the author described satan leaving traps of offense for the Christian in order to leave them unproductive and bound up. Christ is instructing me and us how to avoid these traps,
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for Your word and Your Spirit, please help me to avoid the traps of offense that satan leaves. I don't want to be bound by unforgiveness. Thank You Lord.
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