Thoughts for the Day

When many of his disciples heard Jesus, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.... And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have written about Olive, my mother, before - she had a deep Christian faith, initiated I think by her mother. After returning from Costa Rica where they had lived for years, she attended a large Baptist church in London where she met my father, Bob. She had virtually no Christian education, but passages like John 14 were almost worn-away in her bible, which I inherited. She once said that it was only after she had had a severe stroke (and could only see the right of her dinner plate, for instance) that she understood what it was to be a Christian.

In our passage from John's scripture we see many disciples leaving Jesus because his teaching is becoming too difficult. He has just said "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry!" (John 6.35) It is not that they do not understand Jesus' words, but they see them as blasphemous and subsequently dangerous, and they are not willing to suffer the punishment that will be inflicted by the Romans.

All of us are called into God's orbit through the Spirit, but we have to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ, a decision that means we must make changes to our life. Our bible will surely also begin to get very worn!

Lord Jesus Christ,
You have called us to follow You,
wherever that may lead.
You may call us to primrose paths
or into dangerous swamps,
but where You lead we must go.
Teach us what we need to know
about You, about God the Father,
and about the Holy Spirit,
that our faith will continue to grow
and we may be strengthened
to cope with the difficulties
of this life.
Amen.