53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 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. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:53 – 69, New International Version, emphasis added)
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:23 – 27, New International Version, emphasis added)
Theme: Discipleship
Context:
It was enlightening to read your comments about dying and suffering yesterday. Thanks for sharing!
Over the last three days, we have examined some challenging Bible passages as we tested Rowan Williams’ claim that that staying with/abiding in Jesus is a defining identity trait of Jesus’ disciples. In those passages, Jesus associated discipleship with total and costly commitment to Him. Without proper biblical perspective we could incorrectly conclude that Jesus’ demands are too stringent and unachievable. However, Scripture passages like the two we will consider today counter that conclusion.
In the first passage, we observe an occasion in Jesus’ ministry when many “disciples” turned away from Him because they could not believe the “difficult” things He was saying. In the second passage, a rich man turned away from Jesus because he could not follow a challenging demand made by Jesus. Below are some key discipleship lessons we can take away from the passages:
- Jesus knows the disciples He calls. (John 6:64)
- God enables those who believe in His Son and accept His call. (John 6:65).
- Disciples stay because the words of Jesus are the words of life. (John 6:68)
- Disciples stay because they have faith in God. (John 6:69)
- Disciples stay because “with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)
When we believe in Jesus, no matter how challenging His requirements are for us as disciples, the triune God enables us to stay/abide and declare like Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Bible Passages:
Please prayerfully read the Scripture passages above. In the two passages the disciples were alarmed enough by Jesus’ teaching to ask the following questions:
- “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60)
- “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26)
Consider Jesus’ response to the concerns raised by the disciples and answer the question below.
Question:
What do you find most compelling about Jesus’ response to the concerns of the disciples?
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
February 29, 2024 at 3:36 am
Jesus’ response illustrated that the disciples could not follow Him based upon their own strength. They needed God’s strength. His statement that “all things are possible with God” reminds the disciples that they/we must abide in Him.
February 29, 2024 at 6:45 am
The most compelling thing about Jesus’ response is that the answer to the disciples’ concerns is the same: If they “abide in Jesus”, anything is possible.
What might be considered “hard teaching” for some, will be considered the perfect standard of living for someone who is a disciple or striving to be one. As for who can be saved, we know and readily accept Jesus’ response. With Him, all things are possible.
We need to remember we need Jesus’ might, not our own.
February 29, 2024 at 6:49 am
What I find most compelling in Jesus’ responses is that following Jesus and remaining with him is an act of God, not the arm of the flesh. We can do nothing apart from God (see John 15:5).
I became a believer well into adulthood and I will always remember reading the book of Psalm as a non believer and not being able to make sense of it. Everything changed when I became a believer. I have the same intelligence as I had as a non believer but the Spirit of God is with me now to help me understand Scripture.
February 29, 2024 at 7:42 am
John 6:64 Jesus, knowing who would deceive Him or walk away from Him, still invested in them while they were with Him. That’s compelling to me because if I know an investment of my time, love, resources, will result in loss and not gain, I wouldn’t be compelled to make that investment. But Jesus didn’t consider it a loss. He invested in them anyways
February 29, 2024 at 7:52 am
Jesus knew within himself why the disciples were offended by His teachings. He knew it wasn’t an understanding problem but a belief problem. He gives them a hint of his ascension into heaven, as that which would give an irresistible evidence of the truth of his doctrine (John 6:62). He knew they thought He was trying to impress them and if their belief couldn’t accept what He was saying how could they accept if He told them of His return to Heaven.
Jesus wanted them to know that the rich in their own strength could not make the resolve to give up earthly things for Him but only by Gods grace could this be accomplished.
February 29, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Most compelling to me is John 6:65. which states no one can come to Jesus unles God has enabled them. That although many were believers they thought the conditions to follow Jesus would be too arduous and turned away. It’s never by our own strength, although we are believers , that we can be Jesus’ disciples .
February 29, 2024 at 4:59 pm
For me, Jesus is saying that becoming a disciple is a supernatural event. God is involved and it isn’t us students simply following the teachings of the master. There is a life changing experience made possible by the Holy Spirit. Looking back, while counting the cost as we have seen is very important, the notice of a change in me stands out. God had definitely entered my life.
March 2, 2024 at 7:41 am
It is compelling that Jesus knows that his disciples would find it difficult to understand how it is that if they give up their life for Him, they would gain the Life he intends for them to have. They will be saved and live with the Holy Spirit. For me, my priorities and life changed after I gave my life to Christ the Lord. Grateful for I accepted the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the rest were all from God’s grace and mercy. Surrendering our life to Jesus maybe hard to comprehend if you think you’re the one in charge or controlling your life. This is what Jesus was trying to explain but only those who truly gave up their life to Him will receive the eternal gift of salvation.