Matthew 11:6

 
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Preached on 9 August 1767
 
It is common to charge things to circumstances which are properly the fault of our own hearts.  Some almost wonder at the obstinacy of the Jews, and think, 'Had I seen Jesus in the flesh, seen the labours and wonders of his love, I could not have treated him so.'  Some think, 'Could I have come near him I would have believed – at least I would have said, Lord help me.'  It may rather seem we have the advantage – for now the Scripture is fulfilled, Jesus exalted and light abundant increase – but as the heart, etc, remains the same, it is still true – Blessed is he – such are so rare it may be accounted a miracle of mercy.
 
To satisfy the enquiry of John’s disciples our Lord appeals to his works, which were a sufficient evidence to an impartial mind – yet when people were willingly deceived – there were such appearances and prejudices found, that most were offended.  Blessed they who are not, and so still.
 
1. An offence is properly a stumbling block and figuratively, such a occurrence as tends to discourage and draw aside the mind from something proposed, and acknowledged Jesus.
 
The Jews agreed in expecting a Messiah and generally agreed in rejecting him, because they were offended in him.
 
Amongst us a professed desire of salvation seems general – but many proceed no farther than a few faint wishes because they mistake the way and are offended in Christ.  We may trace a resemblance between what happened of old, and what we see and hear every day.

Some are offended:
  1.1 At his person.  Mark 6:3. [1]  So 1 Corinthians 12:3. [2]
  1.2 His righteousness – to the Jews a stumbling block – John 6:52-66. [3]
  1.3 His Cross outward.  Matthew 26:31 [4] and 13:21. [5]
  1.4 His precepts.  Mark 10:22. [6]
  1.5 Offences in his way:
    1.5.1 temptations. Matthew 12:43. [7]
    1.5.2 delays – revert[?] this Luke 18:1. [8]
    1.5.3 faults of professors – false teachers, and evil walkers. 2 Peter 2:2. [9] Wo to those by whom these offences come.
 
2. They are blessed:
  2.1 Because this is a proof he has hold of their hearts. Matthew 16. [10]
  2.2 He is fully able to make good all their expectations.
  2.3 As they own him now, he will own them hereafter.
 
Blessed such ministers
Blessed such people – let this comfort you, the poor etc.
But alas for this who are thus offended.


Endnotes:
 
 [1] Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
[2] 1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
[3] John 6:52-66 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?... From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
[4] Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
[5] Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
[6] Mark 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
[7] Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
[8] Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
[9] 2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
[10] Matthew 16 includes: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Acknowledgements:
Cowper & Newton Museum, MS 714(19), John Newton's Notebook No. 43