Today’s Reading: John 6:41-71; Psalm 14
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35
Jesus warned them not to get caught up in the perishable things this world has to offer (the things that do not last), but spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you (John 6:27). But witnessing miraculous signs was not enough for this crowd, they wanted the ability to perform these miracles themselves; they wanted power and glory (John 6:28-29).
At times our focus is on the desire for God to do something great and mighty through us for others to see. But God’s response to us may be the same as it was to the crowd – to first seek Him, consume Him, believe in Him and fully experience life through Him.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” – John 6:47-51
TAKE THIS BREAD AND EAT.
It has been a tradition in the church to take communion on a regular basis. This is a beautiful moment to remember who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We take the bread and hold it in our hands, remembering the words of Jesus when he called us to consume his flesh — to remain in him and he in us. It is a holy moment in our covenant relationship with Christ and we are not to take it lightly.
“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – John 6:53-56
TAKE THIS CUP AND DRINK.
Next we take the cup and drink in remembrance of the blood of Jesus shed for our salvation. We intentionally take time to consider the requirement of a sacrificial lamb for the sins of God’s people, and how Jesus became that sacrifice that we may experience life, both now and for eternity.
“I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” – John 6:57-58
After they left the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus’ disciples began to raise their concerns to one another. Jesus had used symbolic language before, and many were able to believe in the truths presented through the stories and lessons of Jesus. But who would be willing to accept this? What did Jesus mean when he said you must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to gain eternal life?
Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” – John 6:61-65
One by one, disciples start walking away from Jesus. What Jesus was asking of them was too much. They would not accept this teaching; they chose to walk away instead of believing in all that Jesus was saying. Twelve disciples remained. Twelve were left to respond to the question Jesus asked of them.
ARE YOU ALSO GOING TO LEAVE?
All of us have seen followers of Christ walk away from the faith. Something Jesus taught became an obstacle for them and they chose another life. This path Jesus asks us to walk is narrow and the gate is small; few find it. “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
There will be moments in our journey with Christ when we have to once again make an intentional decision to follow him. If we remain in him, the Lord will strengthen us for those difficult days when the world misunderstands us and when exiting Christians encourage us to join them. Living out the commands of Jesus is not always easy, and we will watch many choose an easier theology to digest. They will explain away scriptures and devalue the relevance of portions of God’s word in order to create a teaching that is more palatable for others to receive.
WHAT PATH WILL YOU CHOOSE?
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68-69
Lord, our hearts respond with Simon Peter’s this morning. We cannot imagine walking away from this relationship with you. You alone have the words that give us the experience of eternal life both now and forever. Reveal in us if we have begun to soften your message or revise your words in order to fit in with the culture that daily demands that we change. Strengthen our faith and give us a bold confidence as we take the bread and drink from the cup. We long to consume all that you are so that you will remain in us and us in you. Amen.