1. Ðɛ́ ɓɛ́ìn ma m̀ dyi giniiɛ̀n ɓó ti kĩ́ín m̀ cɛ̃ ma Baɓoɔ bɔ̃̀ nyɔ tɔ̀ɔ̀ ɓè gbo kɛ́?

DO YOU remember the moment when you first realized that you had found the truth? The Bible teachings that you were learning seemed so clear​—crystal clear! You felt that everyone would want to accept the things you had come to believe. You were convinced that the Bible’s message would give them a meaningful life now and a wonderful hope for the future. (Ps. 119:105) So you enthusiastically shared the truths you had found with all your friends and relatives. But what happened? To your surprise, many rejected what you told them.

2-3. Xwɛ̀ nyɔ̀ ɓè nì ma ɖé Jízɛ̀ nììn tiɔ̀ múɛɛ pàɖà nyuɛ ma dya gmɔ̀ɔ̀ kɛ́?

² None of us should be surprised when others reject the message we preach. In Jesus’ day, the majority rejected him, even though he performed miracles, proving that he had God’s backing. For example, Jesus resurrected Lazarus​—a miracle that those who opposed him could not deny. Nevertheless, the Jewish leaders did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. They even wanted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus!​—John 11:47, 48, 53; 12:9-11.

³ Jesus knew that most people would refuse to acknowledge him as the Messiah. (John 5:39-44) He told a group of disciples of John the Baptist: “Happy is the one who finds no cause for stumbling in me.” (Matt. 11:2, 3, 6) Why did so many reject Jesus?

4. Ðɛ́ à mu jè cɛ̃ìn ɖé cɛ̃́ɛ́-ɖɛ̀ nìà kɛ múɛ́?

⁴ In this article, as well as in the following one, we will examine a number of reasons why many in the first century  did not put faith in Jesus. We will also see why many today allow themselves to be stumbled. Most important, we will learn why we can have strong faith in Jesus so that we are not stumbled.

5. Ðɛ́ kɔ̃̀ jè nyɔ ɖíɛ́ ɓè ɓɛ́ìn ma kà hwìɖìi poɛ̀n kà Jízɛ̀ se ma Mɛ̀sádyàɔ̀ jùɛ ɓɛ́ìn nyɛ́?

⁵ Many stumbled because of Jesus’ background. They admitted that Jesus was an amazing teacher and that he performed miracles. But to them, he was just the son of a humble carpenter. And he was from Nazareth, a city that may have been considered of little importance. Even Nathanael, who became a disciple of Jesus, at first said: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) Nathanael may have been unimpressed by the city in which Jesus then lived. Or he may have had in mind the prophecy found at Micah 5:2, which foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, not in Nazareth.

6. Ðɛ́ ɓéɖé ɔ ké ma nyɔ ɓè nì ma Jízɛ̀ nììn tiɔ̀ múɛɛ gbo kpáa ɓɛ́ wa kéɛ ma dyí dyuò kà Jízɛ̀ mɔ̀ ma Mɛ̀sádyàɔ̀ kɛ́?

⁶ What do the Scriptures say? The prophet Isaiah foretold that Jesus’ enemies would fail to concern themselves “with the details of [the Messiah’s] generation.” (Isa. 53:8) Many such details were prophesied. If those people had taken the time to examine all the facts, they would have learned that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that he was a descendant of King David. (Luke 2:4-7) So Jesus’ place of birth was in line with the prophecy found at Micah 5:2. What, then, was the problem? People were too quick to make a judgment. They did not have all the facts. Because of this, they were stumbled.

7. Ðɛ́ kɔ̃̀ jè nyɔ pàɖà ɓè nì zɛ̃̀ɛ̀ kɛ seà Jɛhova nyɔ ɓèɔ̀ jè mú ɖɛ̀ɓɛ̀ kɛ́?

⁷ Do we see the same problem today? Yes. As a whole, Jehovah’s people are of a humble background; they are viewed by many as being “uneducated and ordinary.” (Acts 4:13) Some feel that God’s people cannot teach about the Bible because they have not graduated from recognized theological schools. Others claim that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “American religion,” even though, in fact, only approximately 1 in 7 of Jehovah’s Witnesses lives in the United States. Still others have been told that the Witnesses do not accept Jesus. Over the years, Jehovah’s people have been labeled “Communists,” “American spies,” and “extremists.” Because those who are told these stories do not have or do not accept the facts, they are stumbled.

8. Kà Àpɔ́sò 17:11 nyuà cɛ̃ɛ kɛɛ, ɖɛ́ nyɔ ɓè mɛ nyu ɔ jù ké wa dyi mɔ́ wa ké Geɖepɔɔ-ɓiè-nyɔ̀ ɓè dyí dyuò zɛ̃̀ɛ̀ níɛ́?

⁸ How can one avoid being stumbled? People need to examine the facts. That is what the Gospel writer Luke was determined to do. He made it a point to trace “all things from the start with accuracy.” He wanted his readers to “know fully the certainty of the things” they had heard about Jesus. (Luke 1:1-4) The Jewish people in ancient Beroea were like Luke. When they first heard the good news about Jesus, they consulted the Hebrew Scriptures to confirm what they were being told. (Read Acts 17:11.) In a similar way, people today need to examine the facts. They must compare what they are taught by God’s people with  what the Scriptures say. They also need to study the record of Jehovah’s people in modern times. If they do a proper “background check,” they will not allow prejudice or hearsay to blind them.

9. Ðɛ́ kpá ma ti Jízɛ̀ se ma wɔ̃́ ɓɛ́ ɔ ké ma ɖàɓàìn-ɖɛ̀ nyu sɔ̀ìn ɖé dyɔún wɛ̃́?

⁹ Some in Jesus’ day were not satisfied with his amazing teachings. They wanted more. They demanded that he prove that he was the Messiah by displaying “a sign from heaven.” (Matt. 16:1) Perhaps they based this demand on a misunderstanding of Daniel 7:13, 14. However, it was not Jehovah’s time for that prophecy to be fulfilled. What Jesus was teaching should have been enough to convince them that he was the Messiah. But when he refused to give them the sign they were seeking, they were stumbled.​—Matt. 16:4.

10. Ðɛ́ Jízɛ̀ nyu ma ɓɛ́ ɖɛ Àzédyà céè ma ɓá Mɛ̀sádyàɔ̀ jè dyíɛɛ ké ma jàà kpá kɛ́?

¹⁰ What do the Scriptures say? Of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “He will not cry out or raise his voice, and he will not make his voice heard in the street.” (Isa. 42:1, 2) Jesus went about his ministry in a quiet and modest way. He did not build impressive temples, and he did not wear distinctive religious garments or demand to be addressed by pretentious religious titles. When he was on trial for his life, Jesus refused to try to impress King Herod by performing a sign for him. (Luke 23:8-11) Jesus did perform some miracles, but his main focus was on preaching the good news. “This is why I have come,” he told his disciples.​—Mark 1:38.

11. Ðɛ́ mɔ̀ ɖɛ se dyí sɛ́ɖɛ́ìn ɓè ɓɛ́ nyɔ ɖíɛ́ ɓè dè zɛ̃̀ɛ̀ hwìɖìiɛ́?

¹¹ Do we see the same problem today? Yes. Today many are impressed by great cathedrals containing priceless artwork,  by clergymen with high-sounding titles, and by ceremonies the origin and meaning of which have been forgotten by most. But what are people who attend religious services learning about God and his purposes? Those who attend our Christian meetings learn what Jehovah requires of us and how to act in harmony with his will. Our Kingdom Halls are clean and functional, but they are not extravagant. Those taking the lead do not wear distinctive garb; nor do they take on pretentious titles. God’s Word forms the basis for our teachings and beliefs. Even so, many today are stumbled because they think that our way of worship is too simple and that what we teach does not match what they want to hear.

12. Kà wa nyuà kɔ̃in zaìn ɖé Híìbúɖúù 11:1, 6 múɛɛ, ɖɛ́ à hwìɖìì-taɓa-taba mɛ ɓá dyíɛ́?

¹² How can we avoid being stumbled? The apostle Paul told Christians living in Rome: “Faith follows the thing heard. In turn, what is heard is through the word about Christ.” (Rom. 10:17) So we build up our faith by studying the Scriptures, not by participating in unscriptural religious ceremonies, no matter how pleasing to the eye these ceremonies might be. We must acquire strong faith based on accurate knowledge because “without faith it is impossible to please God well.” (Read Hebrews 11:1, 6.) Thus, we do not need to see a spectacular sign from heaven to prove that we have found the truth. A careful examination of the Bible’s faith-strengthening teachings is enough to convince us and to dispel any doubt.

13. Ðɛ́ nyuɛ ké nyɔ pàɖà kpɔ̃̀ìn ma Jízɛ̀ zàà kɛ́?

¹³ In Jesus’ day, the disciples of John the Baptist were puzzled because Jesus’ disciples did not fast. Jesus explained that they had no reason to fast while he was still alive. (Matt. 9:14-17) Even  so, the Pharisees and other opposers of Jesus condemned him because he did not follow their customs and traditions. They got angry when he chose to heal sick ones on the Sabbath. (Mark 3:1-6; John 9:16) On the one hand, they piously claimed to honor the Sabbath; but on the other hand, they had no problem doing business in the temple. They were furious when Jesus condemned them for it. (Matt. 21:12, 13, 15) And those to whom Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth were incensed when Jesus made unfavorable historical comparisons that exposed their selfishness and lack of faith. (Luke 4:16, 25-30) Jesus’ unexpected behavior caused many to stumble.​—Matt. 11:16-19.

14. Ðɛ́ kɔ̃́ jè Jízɛ̀ se ma kà nyɔùn-dyùɛ̀-tɛ̀mɛ̀in-ɖɛ̀ ɓè ɓɛ́ wa kè Baɓoɔ se gbo muìn nyɛɛ jè gbo wɔ̃́ìn nyɛ́?

¹⁴ What do the Scriptures say? Jehovah said through his prophet Isaiah: “This people approach me with their mouth and they honor me with their lips, but their heart is far removed from me; and their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.” (Isa. 29:13) Jesus was right in condemning human traditions that did not harmonize with the Scriptures. Those who put man-made rules and traditions above the Scriptures rejected Jehovah and the one whom he sent as the Messiah.

15. Ðɛ́ ɓè po zɛ̃̀ɛ̀ nyɔ pàɖà dyoɖoún ɓá Jɛhova Zàse ɓè jè dyíɛ́?

¹⁵ Do we see the same problem today? Yes. Many become upset when Jehovah’s Witnesses do not join them in celebrating unscriptural traditions, such as birthdays and Christmas. Others become angry when Jehovah’s Witnesses do not join nationalistic celebrations or do not follow funeral customs that are out of harmony with God’s Word. Those who are stumbled in this way may sincerely believe that they are worshipping God acceptably. But they cannot please him if they prefer the world’s traditions to the clear teachings found in the Bible.​—Mark 7:7-9.

16. Kà Wɛ́ɖɛ́ 119:97, 113, 163-165 nyuà cɛ̃ɛ kɛɛ, ɖɛ́ à mɛ nyu, ké ɖɛ́ à mɛ ɓàɖàìn dyíɛ́?

¹⁶ How can we avoid being stumbled? We need to develop a strong love for Jehovah’s laws and principles. (Read Psalm 119:97, 113, 163-165.) When we love Jehovah, we will reject any traditions that displease him. We will not allow anything to interfere with our love for Jehovah.

17. Hwòɖò-kɔ̃-dè-ɖɛ̀ ɓèɔ̀ nyɛ́ nyuɛ ké nyɔ pàɖà sɔ̀ìn ma hwìì ɖé Jízɛ̀ nììn tiɔ̀ múɛ́?

¹⁷ Some in Jesus’ day wanted an immediate political change. They expected the Messiah to free them from the rule of the Roman oppressors. But when they tried to make Jesus their king, he refused. (John 6:14, 15) Others​—including the priests—​were worried that Jesus would bring about a political change that would antagonize the Romans, who had granted those religious leaders a measure of power and authority. Such political concerns caused many Jews to stumble.

18. Kpáá-ɖɛ̀ ɓèɔ̀ nyɛ́ ɓá Mɛ̀sádyàɔ̀ jé dyí ɓɛ́ nyɔ pàɖà wã̀ìn ma dyéɖé kɔ̃in nyɛ́?

¹⁸ What do the Scriptures say? Although many prophecies foretold that the Messiah would eventually be a victorious  Warrior, other prophecies showed that he would first have to die for our sins. (Isa. 53:9, 12) So why did they have wrong expectations? Many in Jesus’ day disregarded any of the prophecies that did not promise immediate solutions to their problems.​—John 6:26, 27.

19. Hwòɖò-kɔ̃-dè-ɖɛ̀ ɓèɔ̀ nyɛ́ nyu ké nyɔ pàɖà sɔ̀ìn zɛ̃̀ɛ̀ hwìì kɛ́?

¹⁹ Do we see the same problem today? Yes. Many today are stumbled because of our neutral stand with regard to politics. They expect us to vote in elections. However, we realize that from Jehovah’s standpoint, if we choose a human leader to rule over us, we are rejecting Him. (1 Sam. 8:4-7) People may also feel that we should build schools and hospitals as well as perform other charitable works. They are stumbled because we focus our efforts on the preaching work, not on solving the world’s immediate problems.

20. Kà Jízɛ̀ nyuà jìì kɔ̃ nɛ́ìn ɖé Máfíò 7:21-23 múɛɛ, ɖɛ́ jɛ́ɛ́ mɛ kpɔ̃ à hwòɖò kɛ́?

²⁰ How can we avoid being stumbled? (Read Matthew 7:21-23.) Our main focus should be on doing the work that Jesus commanded us to do. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Never should we become distracted by the political and social issues of this world. We love people and care about their problems, but we know that the best way to assist our neighbors is by teaching them about God’s Kingdom and by helping them to develop a friendship with Jehovah.

21. Ðɛ́ à mɛ po gbɔ kɛ́?

²¹ In this article, we have considered four stumbling blocks that caused many to reject Jesus in the first century and could cause some today to reject Jesus’ followers. But are these the only things that we need to avoid? No. In the next article, we will examine four additional stumbling blocks. May we be determined to avoid being stumbled and to keep our faith strong!