“The Spirit Gives Life”
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard
teaching. Who can accept it?"
Aware
that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does
this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to
you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not
believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which
of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say,
"This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has
enabled him."
From
this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
"You
do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon
Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy
One of God."
John 6:60-69
Popularity
is fickle. Just ask a politician. Many of them watch their ratings to see how
their constituents view their policies. They may start with a high rating, but
then it steadily declines during their term. The same was true with Jesus. He
spoke the truth. People did not want to hear it. The crowds followed Jesus
conditionally. They were happy only as long as Jesus supplied their needs and
met their wants. They balked when He asked them for a
commitment.
Commitment to Christ is a daily calling that challenges us.
Our Daily Bread –