MANY DISCIPLES DESERT JESUS

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

John 6:60-71 (NLT) – 60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

John 6:60 (NLT) – “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

• After repeatedly trying to point people’s attention to their eternal, spiritual need instead of their temporary, physical need, Jesus decided to be much more straightforward.

• He told everyone plainly that they could not experience eternal life without Him.

• Even His own disciples immediately recognized how difficult that was to accept. Like many people in the church today, they probably didn’t want to appear close-minded or intolerant.

• However, the fact remains that some of Jesus’ teachings are hard to accept (v. 60).

• There is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and it often begins with challenging our pride, assumptions and comfort.

• Sadly, many people just aren’t willing to pay the price. Not everyone who follows Jesus will stay when things get difficult or confusing.

Matthew 13:21 (CEV) – But they don’t have deep roots, and they don’t last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.

John 6:63 (NLT) – “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing…”

• Salvation and eternal life are entirely dependent on the Spirit of God.

• Even the ability to come to Jesus is a gift from the Father (v. 65).

• There’s no amount of work, religious activity or self-discipline that we can undertake that will give us eternal life.

Titus 3:5 (NKJV) – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

• Every other religion is about what man can do to get closer to God, but Christianity is about what God did to draw man close to Himself. He sent His son to die for our sins and His Spirit to draw us near.

John 6:68 (NLT) – “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”

• Peter and the other disciples already acknowledged that what they were learning was difficult. They watched as many of their friends and family walked away from Jesus.

• But even when others leave, a true disciple will remain and cling to Christ.

• Genuine faith perseveres and continues on even in the face of difficulty or unpopularity.

• Peter’s confession of faith also gives us an important key for true faith – it’s rooted in the words of Jesus.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT) – Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.