⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?” (John 6:60-61, NIV)

Contrary to contemporary “religious” belief… excuse me, “spiritual” belief… Jesus will not just give you a sloppy wet kiss and hug you into heaven.

He will hit you in the place where your “little god” dwells. For the Jews in this passage, it was right in their breadbox… literally. (You need to read the whole chapter.)

We all have our tendency to live as “little gods.” This is the problem right from the Garden of Eden.

Our pride. Our ego. The things we think are “okay,” and are “just who we are.” Those things. Jesus will go after them. They stand in the way of his true love.

Realize this: He isn’t offending you because it’s fun. He is offending you because of his great love. Love is being able to speak the truth without fear of reaction. Sometimes that comes across as offensive. Believe me, when I’m dealing with my own “little gods,” Jesus is downright offensive to me. Then… I realize he’s right.

Jesus did not say to them, “Oh, I’m sorry… did I just hurt your feelings? Let me try that again.”

Once he knew he hit a nerve, he kept drilling. 

Let the little gods go. It’s not worth the offense.