Decisive Disciples
Today, has been a fairly active day. I attended my Tuesday morning prayer connection and then made a trip to the Motor Vehicle Department to get plates for our new vehicle. Fortunately there was no line! After some office work, lunch and a nap, I started on some outside projects. It is nice to have weather that allows us to move forward with some of our spring activities. However, I’m not sure when I will be able to plant a garden.
Yesterday evening I attended an “End of Session” wrap up, at Colorado Christian University sponsored by the Centennial Institute. It was good to see my friend Shirley Seitz, who has been a great friend and supporter politically and personally over the years.
Also, it was good to see Dr. William Watson one of the professors at CCU whom I have known for a number of years. Dr. Watson has just completed a new book on the history of the development of the teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture. I was honored for him to give me an autographed copy.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… …“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. And now we believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God.” John 6:68,69
During Jesus ministry the opinions about Him were greatly divided and ever changing. He didn’t fit or meet the expectations of many as who the Messiah would be or how He would act. We read in John 7 a parenthetical statement that says, “(Not even his brothers believed in him.)” (John 7:5) But the words He spoke and miracles He performed arrested the attention of the masses and created a great following.
The miracle of the “Feeding of the 5,000” was more than just a notable event. In the minds of those who knew the history of God’s people it reminded them of the Lord supplying His people with manna in the wilderness. This excited the people because they believed if the Jesus supplied them with food, they could take care of the rest of business in throwing off the Roman oppression.
Jesus knew the hearts and minds of the people and told them, “I am telling you the truth: you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all you wanted, not because you understood my miracles. Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life….” (John 6:26,27)
Jesus went on and told them that He was, “the bread of life.” In other words, if you want real satisfaction and life receive His words and live by them. “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty.…” (John 6:35)
We see some acting as “Disillusioned Disciples.” They had their own agenda and when Jesus did not meet their preconceptions they began to question and became confused.
Jesus told them plainly, “I am telling you the truth: he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever….” (John 6:47-51) But Jesus statement wasn’t one of clarity but of confusion for those who did not understand or were willing to accept what He was trying to say.
Jesus went on to explain that the life He gives is eternal life, not just sustaining natural life. “What gives life is God’s Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God’s life-giving Spirit…“This is the very reason I told you that no people can come to me unless the Father makes it possible for them to do so.”       (John 6:63,65)      Â
After this we see the “Deserting Disciples.” “Because of this, many of Jesus’ followers turned back and would not go with him any more.” (John 6:66) This discourse is referred to as one of Jesus’ “hard sayings.” It is referred to as such because it was challenging for people to understand, especially when they were insisting on having a Messiah who did not do what they wanted and nor acted how they wanted. So often is the case today. When Jesus fails to meet the expectation and understanding of some people, instead of being persistent and seeking understanding, they become disillusioned and walk away.
At this point Jesus looks at His own Disciples. And taking nothing for granted, as the number of backs of those leaving are great than the faces He is looking into He asks, “And you—would you also like to leave?” (John 6:67) It is at this point we see the “Decisive Disciples.” Peter speaks up (which is not unusual) and declares his loyalty and that of the rest of the Disciples. “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. And now we believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God.” (John 6:68,69)
Being a Christ-follower is one who is willing to be faithful and persistent, even when there is confusion and doubts. So Jesus question is relevant for each person today, “So what about you….?” What will you do when the questions are getting than the answers and it doesn’t seem like Jesus is, “coming through?”
One doesn’t need to understand all there is to know and understand, but there is the need for that bedrock belief, “I believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God.” When that conviction is firm, that is enough!