John 6:60-71

 John 6:60-71 

Jesus's sermon on the Bread of Life is no warm and friendly motivational talk. Jesus's sermon on the Bread of Life comes to only one conclusion. Either there is a radical and determined commitment to Jesus as the life of God incarnate, the only source of life and salvation, or a full rejection of Him. At the peak of His popularity Jesus demands absolute loyalty and devotion.

When faced with the demand and cost of discipleship people exhibit one of two possible reactions. The first reaction to the cost of discipleship is in verse 66. We see many disciples walk away from Christ. These were not the crowds at large. These were not the general populace who a day before wanted to make Jesus their King. John is specific: “Many of His disciples”!  These were people who had made a commitment to follow Jesus, but now decided to leave Him. Disciples walked away from Jesus.  They came to Jesus and wanted to follow on their terms. Maybe they have political, economic, personal, or religious reform aspirations. Jesus confronts them with the central teaching that He is a center of everything. When Jesus perceived the offense caused by His teaching on the Bread of Life He then took it to the next level.   Claiming He will ascend to the Father.

Here is where we see that Jesus would make a terrible church growth pastor. Many churches today tailor their message to the crowds and work very hard to soften the rough edges. Jesus rather than try to win back those walking away turns to the 12 and asks if they want to leave as well. The grammar anticipates a yes answer. Peter's answer is beautiful. It represents the other possible response to the call to be Jesus’ disciple. It is the answer we must have when being a disciple of Jesus is difficult. “Lord to whom else shall we go, you have the words of eternal life”.   Where would we go is not with Jesus.  There's the old song often sung in campfire invitations, “I have decided to follow Jesus”. One of the lines from that song needs to be repeated; “Though none go with me still I will follow”.

“Lord, to whom else could I go You alone have the words of eternal life. AMEN”