Which Way?

Read John 6, Mark 6:35-7:23
 
John 6:66-69 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.”
 
JOHN 6 records Jesus using bread as an image of his eternal Word leading to Life Everlasting. But at the close of this account, many “disciples” left Jesus that day. They loved what he had done, but they rejected his very difficult words, “But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.” This is even hard for us to read and hear, knowing Jesus referred to his redemptive sacrifice.
   Still, there was much evidence of Jesus’ power to convince the Jews. In addition to the thousands fed, Matthew’s account of this teaching time includes these miracles: Matthew 14:35b Soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. All clearly saw the Father’s wondrous grace. Salvation was unto the Jews!
   So then, instead of many quickly saying, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” wouldn’t a good disciple want to say, “Help my unbelief.”  The Bread of Life had come down from heaven to be the way to heaven. How did they miss that amid all the life-changing evidence?
   It seems only the Twelve believed (although Jesus earlier referred to Judas as not believing). Was the disciples’ faith formed more securely because of  the many additional wonders they had witnessed? Remember they had seen Jesus walk on water the day before. And Matthew wrote of Peter also walking on water! And when (Jesus and Peter) climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:32-33) The disciples worshiped Jesus as the LORD God – Absolute Creator.
   But the multitudes who deserted Jesus that day wanted more: “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?” This is the “prosperity gospel” that demands from God as we desire.         
   Which way do you go with your questions and doubts? Do you go to Jesus just to get what you want and then go home? Or do you go to Jesus to learn what you can give to him? Are you a self-focused church member or a steadfast disciple? Do you prefer to understand in your own way, or do you work to gain understanding? Perhaps after reading and studying John 6, you have heard from Jesus, the Bread of Life, who has come down from heaven. Be hungry for him. Be filled with him. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)