John 6:56-69 (NRSV)
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Verse 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Verse 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. Verse 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." Verse 59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
Verse 60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" Verse 61But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Verse 62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? Verse 63It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Verse 64But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. Verse 65And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." Verse 66Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. Verse 67So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Verse 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. Verse 69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Devotion
“Because of this [hard teaching] many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.”
I’ve done the “pastor thing” for 39 years now, and a recurring theme in ministry has been “What can we do about our ‘inactives’?”—the seemingly evident dwindling attendance and shrinking resources.
It may seem hard that Jesus seems to have no inclination to go chasing after those who have walked away. It isn’t that Jesus didn’t love them, or earnestly desire to have them continue to follow him. It is rather the case that when this “abiding” thing becomes clear, there are simply those who look at it and say, “No thank you!” Jesus’ focus remains on announcing that the kingdom of God has come near. When some glimpse the kingdom and their response is still “No thank you”—what can be done, really?
Prayer
Your kingdom come, Lord Jesus, even and especially in and through me. Help me not to walk away from the path that you have shown. Amen.
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