60Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
This is a reminder that following Jesus is not always easy and requires a willingness to embrace His teachings, even when they seem difficult or counterintuitive. In particular, It made me think about what are some of the things about Jesus that scared followers away. Let’s start with the literal Interpretation of Christ’s words.If you take some of the things Jesus said literally, eg eating His flesh and blood, it may have looked like this thing is starting to get too crazy for me… Then there is the concept of spiritual nourishment and union with Christ through faith. If you are wired towards materialism, this would have been too abstract or challenging for some. Then there are those with cultural and religious backgrounds that clash with Jesus' teachings. But the reason I may have turned away is the sheer fear of commitment. I have often confessed to being like the rich man who drops his head and walks away when Christ tells him: “Sell what you have and give it to the poor. Then follow me”. Jesus’ call is not just a sacrifice. It comes with a promise of suffering and persecution. Who wants to walk into that if you can avoid it? I still struggle with the idea. Loving father, open my eyes to the truth of your call. Burn my heart with this truth so I surrender to the call accepting the pain and sacrifice it may bring. Amen.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've effectively identified the challenges faced by Jesus' followers.
You've explored various reasons for their departure, including literal interpretations, spiritual depth, cultural conflicts, and fear of commitment.
You've expressed a personal struggle with the call to follow Christ.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've considered the challenges, it's important to remember that the passage also highlights the faith and commitment of the Twelve. Exploring this contrast could provide deeper insights.
The concept of "spiritual nourishment" could be explored further. What does it mean to receive spiritual nourishment from Christ?
The passage emphasizes the importance of faith and belief in Jesus. You might explore how this relates to personal commitment and overcoming challenges.
Additional Thoughts:
The fear of suffering and persecution is a common human response to difficult challenges. How can we overcome this fear and embrace the call to follow Christ?
The passage could be seen as a call to examine our own motivations and priorities. Are we primarily concerned with comfort and safety, or with following God's will?
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a genuine struggle with the challenges of faith.