The Time Many People Stopped Following Jesus
Do you want to go away as well?
Many of Jesus’ disciples were grumbling about the things Jesus was teaching.
This is a hard saying; who can understand it? (John 6:60)
Jesus had taught things about Himself that were different than what the crowd was used to hearing. It was challenging to believe what Jesus was teaching them.
As a result, many of His disciples left Him and stopped following Jesus for good (John 6:66).
While this occurred nearly two thousand years ago, people have not changed much. Some of us begin to shift comfortably when something challenging is taught from God’s Word.
We were alright when we heard about the love of God and the compassion of Jesus. But, hearing that Jesus is the only way to come to the Father (John 14:6) - well, that sounds a bit extreme to some.
The truth is - Jesus’ way is the most challenging.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
After many of Jesus’ disciples left, He turned to His apostles and asked, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67)
Whenever we come across something in Scripture that challenges our commitment to the Lord, just imagine Jesus asking you, “Do you also want to go away?”
Will we answer as Peter did?
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)
If we desire eternal life, there is no other option. Only Jesus gives the victory over sin and death.
Only Jesus saves.