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Msg #578 Wed, October 14, 2009
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Then Jesus said to the twelve,
“Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67)
Christian, Do you ever feel like quitting the Christian life?
If you are honest, such a thought has crossed your mind at times. You would probably be embarrassed to admit it, but it is true. Can I tell you something comforting? You are not alone. Most Christians are tempted by this at one time or another.
Yet the truth is, some do quit on Jesus. As Jesus asks His disciples this question, the backdrop was that many people were going away from Jesus.
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:66)
It is a sad picture, but real. People who had been disciples, who had been followers of Jesus, quit on Him. In fact…many did. The truth was this departing from Jesus proved they were never saved in the first place, but it is still hard to watch (1Jn 2:19).
Why? What was it that caused them to quit? They were offended and confused with the things Jesus was sharing with them.
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60)
The NIV and NLT translation word it this way "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" They were confused, struggling with the things of God, the things of His Word and things that in many ways were yet far beyond their understanding. The wanted Jesus on their terms, to meet their ends, and they were discovering that what Jesus had for them was spiritual life, not necessarily physical life or pleasure. It was a hard pill for these who lived for pleasure to swallow.
So again, with that backdrop, Jesus asked His disciples:
“Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67)
I love their real and wonderful response:
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)
They would not walk away from Jesus, for three reasons.
One – there was nowhere else to go! Though Christianity was proving to be difficult, there are no other options out there. Jesus and Jesus alone is our help, hope and life. There is no other name or way to be saved (Acts 4:12).
Two – Jesus had the words of eternal life. Life, real life, and life forever were with Christ. If the present moment was hard for them, they looked past it and saw that in Jesus they had life always, forever. For this reason, they would endure even their present difficulties and confusion.
Three – they knew who Jesus was. They did not know everything, and some of the truths Jesus shared in John 6 were deep, too deep for them at the present. Yet, this they knew – Jesus is God’s promised one, the Christ. Jesus is the Son of the Living God. They did not know everything, but the understand enough to know who Jesus was…and they would not walk away from Him!
Today, maybe you find yourself tempted to walk away. Again, take comfort that you are not alone in those temptations. Yet, I call you to the disciples heart: There is nowhere else to go! In Jesus we have life forever and ever. And though you may not understand all of God’s ways or plans, this you know – Jesus is the Son of God…and in Him you have life.
Today…don’t quit on Jesus!
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)
Jim
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