Tuesday, May 12, 2015
John 6:48-49, 51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life ... I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
PETER ISN'T OFFENDED BY JESUS
Have you been to a sports game where the fans gave up on their team before it was over? It's kind of funny to see a team's followers leave or turn off the TV early, and then end up missing out on an amazing turn around victory!
It may be funny with sports, but when it comes to unfaithful followers of God's Son, Jesus Christ, it is no laughing matter! In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus had just revealed to His disciples that He wasn't just on God's team, He was God. This was a hard saying to believe! But Jesus hints at more evidence that would prove He was the bread of life sent from God the Father:
"When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life ... From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:61-63, 66).
Many disciples since those days have walked out on "Jesus' team." We too are tempted to give up and not follow our Savior anymore. Maybe we don't like His rules. Maybe we don't think His Word applies anymore. We may be offended simply by our ignorance of His Word. It is easy to follow the crowds and not walk with Jesus. But Jesus asks His disciples today as well, "Do you also want to go away?" (John 6:67). May the Spirit of God make us faithful followers who respond like Peter, "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).
Guess what? Peter and the disciples who faithfully followed saw exactly what Jesus hinted they might see: "the Son of Man ascend where He was before." They watched Jesus defeat death and the devil and ascend into heaven! Jesus' followers saw Him risen from the dead! As you look to Christ's victory and follow Him, so will you!
