How do we know that Jesus is offensive to the natural man?

The persistent rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders illustrates the natural man's hatred for the truth that exposes sin. Jesus points out in John 8:30-44 that the reason they sought to kill Him was because He brought forth the truth of their spiritual state, which they were unwilling to accept. He clearly states that if God were their Father, they would love Him, emphasizing that true recognition of Jesus comes from a heart transformed by grace. When confronted with the reality of their sinfulness and the futility of their religious works, many resort to hostility against the message of grace, demonstrating that the natural man cannot comprehend or accept the fundamental truths of the gospel.