Recalling undertakers I have known, there was one who went appropriately by the name of Mr Death, but who pronounced his name rather less ominously as Mr De’ath. But more significantly, I remember one saying in my hearing: “I wish these ministers didn’t keep harping on about the resurrection at the funeral service. The mourners find it most disturbing.” I think he meant that he found it disturbing and therefore offensive, and he was projecting his feelings on to others.
This reminded me of a rather surprising saying of Jesus in Matthew 11 verse 6, which can be translated: “Blessed in the person who does not take offence at Me.” This of course begs the question why anyone should be offended or scandalised by Jesus. After all He was in the business of healing sick people, and even raising the dead. Surely things only to be glad about?
But not everyone was. Think of the religious leaders of His day. Think of His own family who at one point thought Him out of His mind. And, of all people, here in this story, even John the Baptist seems to be losing his hold on his previous faith in Jesus as God’s Messiah. He now appears to be falling short of John’s expectations for Him. Their attitudes take a bit of explaining.
However, we can’t afford to be smug. The same temptation assails us when we see our prayers apparently go unanswered or when Jesus doesn’t fit into our plans.
However it may seem, truth is still to be found and experienced, for those who remain firm in their convictions, in that beatitude from the lips of Jesus Himself: “Blessed is the one who doesn’t take offence at Me.”