"These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"–John 6:59-61
In this sixth chapter of John's Gospel, the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ were very offensive and became a stumbling stone to the religious leaders of His day. Everything our Lord Jesus Christ did while He was here in this world offended somebody – and He is still offensive today.
His birth in a stable in Bethlehem was offensive. They said the Lord of Glory has no business being born in a cow stall! Some were offended at His birth place. One person, upon learning that Jesus was from Nazareth, is quoted as saying, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" His death on the cross of Calvary was offensive. Paul called it "the offence of the cross." All of this was offensive then – and it is offensive today.
In our text we find that His preaching greatly offended the people of His day. On many occasions when our Lord spoke, the people became so angry that they would take up stones to stone Him. How then does the modern-day preacher hope to get along with the world and please the religious crowd, when they hated the Lord Jesus with such fury that they nailed Him to a cross? This world loves it own – it hates God's people – it always has and it always will.
(John 15:19) "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
The preaching of Christ Jesus and Him crucified is hated by this religious world. But those who believe, and are saved, love it with a perfect love. It is their only hope, their Salvation.