The most offensive thing is to dispute someone's definition of what is good. The greatest of these offenses is rejecting what someone claims makes them good. What is so offensive about Jesus is not that he died but that he had to die for your sins. The world is happy to receive him as a dying martyr, but a savior dying to atone for your sins requiring believing faith, the world finds offensive.

The crowd wanted a warrior king, but Jesus was the suffering servant who came to die for man's sins (Isaiah 53). The crowd wanted someone to affirm and support their cause, but Jesus called sinners to repent of their sins and believe in faith on him. Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), is also a stumbling stone and offensive to all who remain in their sin.

We are constantly comparing ourselves to others. At the gym, at work. online, and even at church. When we find ourselves among those who we judge as less than us, it makes us feel good. When we find ourselves among those who we judge as greater than us, it can make us ashamed or self-conscience. Jesus exposes the arrogance of our flesh in this parable and demonstrates the only way one can come and know the salvation of God.

Are you justified by your own actions or are you justified by the merciful salvation of Christ? Are you concerned with how much you must do to be right or are you overwhelmed by the limitless mercy expressed through the cross of Christ?

Dear friend – all those who have known the limitless, overwhelming fountain of the mercy of God that flowed through the veins of Jesus on the cross will “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself”