"Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!" (Luke 17:1, NKJV)
The word "offenses" is a translation of the Greek term "skandala" (skandala from root skandalon). According to Vine’s, skandalon was "the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached, hence, the trap or snare itself….In the N.T. skandalon is always used metaphorically, and ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way."
Jesus’ use of skandalon
In Matthew 16, we are told that Jesus began to show His disciples that "He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." On this occasion Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" (Matthew 16:21, 22). It was then that Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men" (Matthew 16:23). The term "offense" is a translation of "skandalon." In simple terms Jesus told Peter, "Get out of my way, adversary! You may not realize it, but your are hindering Me by trying to turn Me from the path My Father has chosen for Me."
Paul’s use of skandalon
Paul used the term in Romans 14, when he wrote, "make up your mind not to put any stumbling block [proskomma] or obstacle [skandalon] in your brother’s way" and "it is better not to…do anything that will cause your brother to stumble and fall" (14:13, 20). In Romans 16:17, Paul urged believers "to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."
John’s use of skandalon
In his statement to the Church at Pergamos, Jesus declared, "you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality" (Rev. 2:14).
A skandalon is anything that that causes someone to stumble and fall or that hinders them.
In our text the disciples are faced with a skandalon of gigantic proportions. Their success in dealing with this stumbling block affords us a lesson on dealing with offenses.
THE SOURCE – The religious leaders.
One would expect religious leaders to be at the forefront of what God was doing, but it was the religious leaders that sought to put a stop to this Jesus business.
"Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees come upon them…and put them in custody until the next day" (4:1, 3).
"And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem" (4:5, 6).
THE SKANDALON
Instead of joining themselves to what God was doing, the religious leaders opposed it.
By Incarceration – They "put them in custody until the next day" (4:1). The arrest and incarceration of Peter and John was an attempt to let them know who was in control and that they were in trouble.
By Interrogation – "And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’" (Acts 4:7) They weren’t interested in knowing the truth, but in finding a way to put a stop to what was happening. (See Acts 4:13-17.)
By Intimidation – "So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus…. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since all glorified God for what had been done" (4:18, 21).
THE SUCCESS
Peter and John, though facing a massive skandalon, did not fall and were not hindered. Their experience and Jesus words in Luke 17, teach us how to successfully overcome "offenses."
Guard yourself (Luke 17:3) – Give close and careful attention to your heart’s attitudes and emotions. Peter and John emerged from their overnight stay in jail "filled with the Holy Spirit," and not controlled by fear.
Give Yourself – "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" (Rev. 12:11, NIV). "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 18:24, 25).
Get A Grip – "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19, 20). When Joshua was about to enter Canaan, God told him to be strong and of good courage. In essence He was telling him to strengthen his grip.
Give It All To God – "And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all…so when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord" (Acts 4:23, 24).
Go On – "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
CONCLUSION
According to Jesus, we cannot prevent the offenses from coming, but we do not have to fall prey to them.
copyright 1998 by Louis Bartet
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