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Written by Rayne Paz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Salvador, Brazil
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-69 NIV)
Do you remember what or who led you to Christ? There are many paths that lead someone to know Jesus. Some people knew Him from a young age through their parents or guardians, while others come to know Him as teenagers or adults.
In the verses we will work through today, we will see that some people had the privilege of meeting Christ personally, but there was one common detail: the message was not enough for them to remain with Him. In fact, the message seemed somewhat irrelevant by worldly standards. In John chapter 6 (read the entire chapter), Jesus was becoming known; it was no longer necessary for Him to be introduced to the people who came to Him. He seemed like a good teacher, with good things to offer His followers, especially in the most recent get-together where there was even a free meal. But this time, merely thinking He was a good teacher that shared good physical food was not sufficient to continue following Him. Jesus leaves the carnal sphere and presents to those people the true benefit of following Him. However, it was not exactly what the crowd expected to hear.
Just like those people, we once came to know Christ, perhaps initially through some of His material blessings, but there comes a time when we are confronted with truths that are hard to accept. We are put to the test as to whether we are remaining in Him for the right reasons. There comes a time when we must decide to stay. Jesus’ words confront our deepest convictions, and suddenly we find ourselves giving up what we previously thought in order to believe exclusively in Him.
The word used by one of His followers in verse 60 translated as “hard” comes from the Greek word sklhro/ß (sklēros). It does not mean “hard to understand” but rather “harsh,” “severe,” or “unpleasant.” Therefore, it is not that Christ’s message is incomprehensible to us, but rather that it is uncomfortable to our will; it is disagreeable to “self,” and at times it frustrates our expectations.
Jesus’ words were offensive, not incomprehensible. However, sometimes being offended is necessary to make a decision. Jesus already knows our answer, whether we will follow Him or not, just as He also knew the disciples’ answer. But He wants to hear us say it to others and to ourselves, just as Peter recognized, accepted, and proclaimed that there is no other way (verse 68). Deciding to stay means understanding who Jesus is, His redemptive work, and the plan of salvation. It is looking with spiritual eyes of satiety and contentment at the living and eternal food, not waiting for what we may enjoy in this life that is temporary and useless. Jesus is the food that gives eternal life, satisfying us forever.
There is a Portuguese song that sums this up very well: “Christ offers what He is.” Jesus offered the bread of life because He is life itself. Unfortunately, the people in John 6 were not prepared for this. Life here on earth mattered more to them.
Some will not bear this truth or will not be willing to give up their convictions in the name of Christ. Like Peter, we must recognize that there is no one else with whom we can completely trust our lives, not because of what He offers, but because of who He is. That moment was an important step for the twelve: becoming a disciple consists of giving up this life and recognizing that outside of Christ there is nowhere to go.
What about us? Will we decide to stay?
by Elesa Goad Mason, volunteer with Iron Rose Sisters Ministries in Texas
I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. (Ps 36:1-2 NIV)
I spent the first 13 years of my life growing up with one brother. Typical brother/sister relationship; friends one minute, then not the next. We never really had that much in common, so our lives and interests went in different directions. It wasn’t until after college when we both were married and building our own families that we grew closer and were more involved in each other’s lives.
Fast forward many years to when most of our children were grown and our lives were successfully running full steam ahead, or so it seemed. One afternoon at the end of a long day, I received a call from him, emotional and very remorseful. He felt God had placed it on his heart to confess a sin that could put his life as he knew it in jeopardy. I was stunned because, other than dad, my brother was the one person in my life whom I felt had such a strong relationship with the Lord that I never dreamed he would ever have to confess a sin publicly, much less to me privately. I was crushed by his sorrow but also amazed by his strength to do the right thing, not knowing the consequences, and to begin a process of confession and subsequent healing that has taken many years to complete.
Since the beginning of time, God has used the sinful nature and weaknesses of man with various personalities to fulfill His will and accomplish His purposes. Apostle Peter comes to mind readily as a sinful man who was impetuous when he quickly lost his faith in Jesus and began to sink in the stormy waters out of doubt and fear (Mt 14:29-31), and as an impulsive man who cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant, out of anger because they were arresting Jesus in the garden that fateful night (Jn 18:10). He also quickly declared his loyalty to the Lord and just as quickly denied him three times to protect himself from the angry mob (Mk 14:66-72).
It's so easy to have good intentions in doing the right thing, and just as easy to not. All of that about Peter is to say that God used him in miraculous ways for His will. God channeled Peter’s bold nature to speak an amazing sermon that resulted in the salvation of over 3,000 souls and used him as a pillar in the New Testament church (Ac 10, 15). God is loving and forgiving and used the sinful natures of many people to complete His spiritual purposes; David, “a man after God’s own heart,” Moses, Jonah, Rahab, and the list goes on and on.
After recently talking with my brother, who graciously relived a very difficult time in his life to help me, he explained that, like David in Psalm 38 after his sin with Bathsheba, he felt physically sick and totally crushed down by the Lord because of his sin. He, my brother, had no choice but to confess his sin to his wife and family and throw himself on the mercies of the Lord and those he loved dearly to face whatever consequences he was given. He believed with all his heart that his salvation was because of Jesus on the cross, and not for anything he’s done or could ever do.
God’s favor in us is because of His covenants and promises, period. Like David, despite his sinful nature, God blessed my brother beyond measure, full and packed down. He blessed him with an amazing wife and a long, beautiful marriage, and children and grandchildren who look up to him and honor him as a man of God. As do I. And like Peter, God uses my brother as a pillar in the spiritual community both locally, statewide, and around the world. All because he chose God over sin.
Our relationship with God is wholly dependent on our grateful hearts and true penitence in our sinful natures. God wants to be first, to be loved, and to be trusted in all aspects of our lives and everything we do. Confession is part of that. But living a life with less judgment, filled with loving others more than ourselves, is equally as important in our journeys through this life.
Our reward is an eternity with the very God we worship and the ones we love dearly who have gone before and will follow us after we’re there. I can’t wait!
