Words of Eternal Life
Read John 6
John 6 happened one year before Jesus’ crucifixion and was a major transitional time in Jesus ministry. At the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus perceived that His popularity had grown to the point that the people want Him for their king, but have no clue of His real mission. When they found him the next morning on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus began to point out there fleshly relationship – ‘You seek me because your bellies were filled yesterday’ – which begins an argument.
Arguments with God are not bad, unless we refuse to yield to His words of explanation. Arguments with God open conversation with eternal purposes and truth. If we argue back from the natural realm, or become offended at what seems impossible, or contradicts our tradition or understanding, we lose.
We don’t lose because God refuses to speak. He just grows larger than our understanding and we finally stop following Him in this conversation. We may feel justified and confidant that we have Him, in some legal way. But we don’t. We have only darkened the conversation with our ignorance. (Job 38:2; Romans 1:21, 22)
The people’s ignorance and stubbornness forced Jesus to continue to explain what they could not or would not receive. Finally they withdrew and Jesus asked His disciples if they wished to leave also. Peter responded for all the disciples, “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
Jesus answered his disciples’ declaration with these words, “Did I not choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil.” John 6:70
Being Chosen is demonstrated in our recognizing Jesus as the one who has the words of eternal life, and coming to believe and know Him, as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Now read through John 6 and take the time to enter into the lives of the characters in the story.
Walk in Jesus’, and His heart as He saw the multitude, knowing that within a year, He would probably be offered up, recognizing the fleshly relationship that the crowds desired, His attempt to move them to spirit and truth through faith.
What do you think Jesus was doing?
Why refuse the crowds wishes for a king?
Why challenge the motives in seeking Him?
What is all this talk about raising them up at the last day?
Stand among the crowds of people, witness the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the enthusiasm of what this means, agreeing with everyone as the cry went out, ‘let’s make Jesus our king’. Where is Jesus? When did you come here?
Why are their questions filled with such ignorance and stubbornness, or are they?
What about these contradictory statements Jesus is making?
What about a sign?
Heaven? We know His father and mother.
How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?
Who can hear these statements Jesus is making? Could you?
Now sit with the disciples. Filled with hope, you witness the ever increasing popularity and miraculous ability of Jesus. He is unstoppable! But then He sends the crowd away, and you, into a boat, into a storm. When He arrives (walking on the water) you are overwhelmed with fear. The next morning Jesus is gruff with the crowd, accusing them of fleshly ambitions, then declaring himself the bread of God, then flesh to eat and blood to drink.
What would be going on in your mind? You’re fully committed into the journey, having been with Jesus for two years, but now He is purposely being unreasonable.
Does He really mean eat my flesh and drink my blood? That’s what He is saying?
What about this being raised from the dead at the last day?
The crowd dispersed and you are left alone with Jesus, He looks at you, and the twelve, and asks, “Do you also want to go away?”
What is your answer? Why?
Enjoy the Encounter,
Steve
