John 6:60-66

John 6:60-66 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Today, as the truth of John's gospel penetrates our consciousness, the Spirit might well ask us: Does this offend you? Aware from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him and who would take offense at the idea of eating and drinking of him to find eternal life, Jesus persevered in speaking truth, the truth that would set people free. Some of the disenchanted followers who left him probably envisioned him as a radical political activist who would fight for their country, a miracle worker to deliver them from the oppressive yoke of the hated Romans. Other disillusioned followers sought for miracles of food, protection, health, basic needs for wellbeing and a good life on this earth not high-minded talk of eternal life and the ascension of the Son of Man. His cannibalistic talk of eating and drinking of himself for eternal life undoubtedly sounded offensive even senseless to their ears. Spiritually deaf ears and carnal minds would not listen to the Spirit's call, refused to accept spiritual realities.

At the most literal level, they knew cannibalism was against the law. And Christ's talk of eternal life and resurrection was probably beyond their grasp. They were Jews after all, people of the Law, the enlightened or superior ones, his chosen people. Of course God would raise them up at the resurrection. All they wanted was a better life now. Jesus definitely offended them by implying that they should partake of him for eternal life, that they might soon see him ascend into heaven and leave them behind, no longer willing or able to meet their earthly needs. His words separated the sheep from the goats then and there. Jesus said He knew they were not interested in hearing what He had to say about eternity. Such talk was way too ambiguous, too ethereal for them to apply to their daily existence to their selfish needs and desires. Consequently, Jesus scolds them by saying the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. As is true today, when the pastor gets serious and begins to preach commitment and asks the people to surrender all to Jesus, From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

How often in this world do we envision Jesus as our provider, healer, solver of all problems. If only we had enough faith, He would meet our every need, want, and desire. He would supply sufficient sustenance, shelter, comfort, and amenities to enjoy life the way Christians (God's kids) should enjoy life. Some of our modern songs, particularly from the media churches and our super hype sermons reiterate the theme that Jesus answers every need, every difficulty, problem, and desire if we just pray hard enough and have enough faith, particularly if we support a certain evangelist or send money to that ministry or buy their prayer cloths. We even preach Jesus provides abundant life for all those who have abundant faith and suggest that those who suffer just haven't gone to the right meeting or watched the right broadcast, making them to blame for their cancer or their problems. Just turn on the spigot of faith, press the right keys on the giant computer in the sky and out comes health, wealth and happiness: you will find prosperity at your door.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER: the Alpha and Omega, and everything in between. The answers He gives are not always what we sought. That is why He set the example: not my will, but thine be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. Since the flesh counts for nothing, we pray in faith yet trust God. Otherwise, we eat healthy, drink 8 glasses of water, take our vitamins, seek what comforts we can; but we accept that our lives will last but a brief time, like a vapor. Lazarus was healed, but he died later on. We don't preach the "later" part; it's not so comforting on our earthly journey; yet death comes to all. The comforting part is that Christ won the victory when He conquered death and the grave. We arose with him in newness of live forevermore. Jesus brought life abundant, overflowing life with glorious joy and peace like a river to our souls whether we are sick or well, hungry or full, living in a shack or a mansion, riding in a Lexus or on a bicycle. He saved us for all eternity. Death cannot hold us down. Jesus said I will raise [them] up at the last day. (John 6:44) This gives us hope. Paul wrote God has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesian 1:20) With troubled minds or sick bodies, we hear his soft utterances: I am here, I am with you, I am by your side, Hear my voice, Remember my words, Come to me, I will never leave you, You are mine. At best, this earthly journey lasts 60 to 80 years with its share of problems. The Bible says, Rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1:6) As Peter said so succinctly, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68) Today, dear Lord, we trust in you, eat and drink of you. Where else could we go? Bless you all precious friends!