"In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Luke 7:21-23 (ESV) It is interesting that Jesus accomplished this list of miracles and then needed to remind people that they would be blessed if they were not offended by him. How could someone be offended by Jesus? He was caring for the sick and preaching the good news to the poor, people from whom He would not benefit. People are often offended when they encounter absolute authority, for it diminishes their authority, and has the possibility of challenging their thought process, lifestyle, and the many conclusions they promoted to family and friends. Eventually, their value, which has been wrapped up in their viewpoint, is challenged, and they change from a debater to a warrior. Jesus lived a life that was exemplary in every way, and thereby, challenging in every way, and those who did not want to be challenged needed to do everything they could to diminish His impact on the world. Those who honestly evaluate Jesus are not offended, but rather awed by Him. | 
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