3. You are unwilling to come to Jesus.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40).
Jesus is saying to people who once had light and joy in the truth, but now have an inner folding of the arms: “This is why you have lost the light and joy you once had: You are determined not to come to me!”
What kept them from coming to Jesus? They were hung up on the fact that Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath. Really? Lose the light and the joy that you once had over that? Maybe there is something in your life that has caused you to be offended by Jesus. Is it really worth all that you are losing now and all that you will lose in the future to stay offended by Jesus?
The most miserable place in life is when you are holding onto a grievance against Jesus. If you take offense at Jesus, you will lose the light and joy that you had. Whatever he has allowed in your life, being in a stand-off with him will only make your pain greater.
Jesus says, “You refuse to come to me that you may have life.” You could have life! There is a peace, a strength, a joy that could be yours, but it’s not yours, and the reason it’s not yours is that you have taken offense at Jesus and you refuse to come to him.
Have you taken offense at something Jesus has allowed in your life? What? Is it really worth staying at a distance from him?