Matthew 17:27  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth, and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (NIV)

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It’s easy to miss the point hidden in the details. 

One of the wildlife photos of the year from last year included that of a leopard hidden in some underbrush. He was virtually impossible to see until someone pointed out where to look. 

I took a photo like that myself a few years ago. The safari vehicle we were in came upon a pile of rocks surrounded by trees. It looked like the kind of place where you might see a leopard lying in the shade, and he was! 

He hopped off the rocks and headed into the heavy brush as we approached. I got my camera up as he disappeared into the brush, and I took two photos of the spot where he disappeared. I assumed he would turn around and look from his hiding place to see what was interrupting his rest. Again, when you know where to look, you clearly see his eyes and light orange fur. 

This is one of those texts where we can get so focused on what’s going on that we miss a major insight. The very first thing Jesus says in this verse is “But so that we may not cause offense.” The Message paraphrase puts it this way:

“But so that we don’t upset them needlessly, . . .”

These days, you get the idea that a lot of folks don’t really care who they offend. Some people not only rationalize their offensive behavior but take pride in it. 

You get the idea from Jesus that needless offense is an important violation. Sometimes we offend people just by making hard right choices. Sometimes we offend people, not because we plan to, but because truth offends sinful habits or belief systems. 

I found myself recently making up arguments in my head. Read that sentence again. Confident that no one but me does this kind of thing (cough, cough), I need to tell you that it’s not very productive. I have won a lot of arguments in my head that I never had, or maybe never should have had. 

It’s really not a good thing to prepare rebuttals for statements that haven’t been made yet. It’s really not good to expect the worst from someone. I’m guessing Jesus would put this misbehavior in the Needlessly Offensive category. 

Here’s what I’m working on today: I will not be needlessly offensive. 

I will also work on not being offensive in any situation, as far as it depends on me. 

There’s one woman in my life who seems to be offended if I so much as breathe. I can’t say anything in her presence without a rebuttal. Everything about me makes her want to puke. And I’m such a nice guy! Of course, this is one of the things that offends her so. To make her life much more peaceful, I avoid her as often as I can. And now I’m wondering if this needlessly offends God. . . .

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I will not be needlessly offensive. 

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Our Father, please forgive the many times I have needlessly offended someone. I can think of a dozen examples without breaking a sweat. Instead, empower me to bring out the best in others. Make me more of a refreshing breeze than a scorching wind. Make me overflow with the peace of your presence. Amen.