John 6 is one of my favorite chapters in the new testament, coming in 2nd to Acts 17. Today I want to talk about John 6 because it offers two options to those who call themselves Disciples of Jesus Christ. There are those who will find they are not what they claim to be. Then there are those who persevere to the end.
There are some who walked with Jesus while he ministered for 3 years who may have really believed they were there for the long haul. They knew he was different, they were astonished by his teaching, "for he was teaching then as one who had authority, and not as the scribes" Matthew 7:29. The Scribes would teach and quote 'greater' teachers which would give them their authority. The people recognized that Jesus didn't quote others to offer him authority, but spoke as the authority. This led to curiosity and a following.
This same crowd and an added few were there to witness his making mincemeat out of the Pharisees and Saducees'. He turned their teaching into displays of hypocrisy that excoriated them in front of their followers. The crowd saw the miracles and many of them had miracles performed in their lives by Jesus. All of this made them commit to following Jesus.
When we examine this following, we must recognize the lack of depth to it, in many cases. Nothing has been asked of the followers in order to truly claim a genuine faith. In John 6 the test of their faith comes to fruition and something is required. Jesus claimed, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." The Jews, including many following him, complained about this statement. That was the easy part, he goes on to tell the crowd, "If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." He was now making a demand of those who claimed to be his disciples.
Many raise their hands and go down the aisles of churches to "accept Jesus." Just like these crowds, they recognize through many ways that Jesus is special. They grow up in Christian homes, they hear about him through neighbors and his name is at the apex of much debate. There is still something about what they hear that draws them to say, "yes." This is the easy part.
As the crowd traveled with him, some for months, many for almost the length of his ministry, it wasn't until he required something of them that their faith is put to the test. Unfortunately many in this crowd, "when they heard this, said, 'this is a hard saying; who can understand it?" They did not seek understanding. They didn't continue in Him. They complained about the demand and they, "went back and walked with him no longer."
Jesus is not the God the prosperity false teachers claim he is. He does not promise us unconditional health, money, or fame. He promises us persecution, trials, and times of trouble, but to be our righteousness, peace, joy, and his presence stay with us through all of this.
At the point in John 6 where many went back and walked with him no longer, there was a second crowd, with the best option. Jesus addressed the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" When Jesus requires faithfulness of you and me, will we stand up and continue in Him? Will we remain faithful? Would it really be better to turn back? Let's see the answer of the twelve, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
There are lessons in that answer. First, they knew when something tough comes, where they should go. Difficult things happen, what is the better option? Second, they also knew walking with Jesus was life now, and life later, what is a better option? Third, they allowed all He had done and said to become proof enough that he was what he was claiming, "the bread of life," and they believed. The Spirit revealed it to them, they held to that truth.
We have options. Walking with Jesus is not easy. It's easier when things go well. You have what you need. You aren't in any hostile relationships where you are being persecuted. Being a disciple of Jesus seems to be a prosperous relationship. But what will you choose when his demands begin to invade your life when being a disciple costs you someone, something? Will you stick around, or "do you also want to go away?"
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