"Offended Disciples"

June 6, 2013

“Offended Disciples”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 6:60-66

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Jesus had just given a difficult teaching to the disciples.
Difficult to this day.

John 6
53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves.
54 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
56 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood resides in me, and I in him.
57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who consumes me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread your ancestors ate, but then later died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”



The Jews were arguing over the statement.
How could it be?

In this passage we see that the disciples question Jesus. Who can understand it?

Jesus answered.
So, they were offended by eating/drinking of Him?
What would they do when the Son of Man ascended to where He was before?

The Spirit gives life.
The Spirit gives understanding.
Human nature is of no help.

Jesus told them that what He spoke are Words of Spirit and Life, but some did not believe.

It is only through the Spirit that we understand.
Have not the Spirit?
Then you are not saved.
You will not understand.

The “disciples” here are “learners”...those that were following Jesus for varied reasons.

We learn a truth that is often ignored.
Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe.
Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray Him.

Jesus knew that Judas did not believe, that he was the son of perdition.
Jesus knew who the true believers were.

We also see that one can come to Jesus in faith only if the Father has allowed him to come. Hummmm…

After these “hard teachings” many of His disciples...learners, followers...did not accompany Him any longer. They were not “True Disciples” because they did not believe and press on to the end.

Following and accompanying makes not a disciple.
Believe.
Drink.
Eat.
Abide in the Lord.