From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:66)
Today I have a word of both comfort and caution to offer you. It is a message designed to help us understand the teachings of Jesus without taking offense. In today’s verse, the apostle John recorded that many did indeed take offense at Jesus’ words and walked no more with the Lord. What caused them to turn away? Jesus was teaching deep Gospel truths about being the Bread of Life, saying things like . . .
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)
At the very least, this was difficult for many listeners to understand. For those who took Jesus’ statements at a surface level, these words were offensive. But Jesus was teaching deep spiritual truths, and His audience was unable to understand . . . so they took offense and walked away. Here’s the point: Jesus intentionally made Himself an offense to His audience. Why? Because it separated the goats from the sheep — the false followers from the true disciples.
Many of the teachings of Jesus are offensive to the natural man. How about, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23)? Who reading this is excited about living a life of self-denial and cross-bearing? Or how about “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)? Do really want to pray for your enemies rather than punish them?
Someone once said, “The Christian life is not hard to live; it’s impossible!” And that is wholly true apart from the grace of God. Remember, our promise from Jesus is safe passage into glory . . . but not without storms and struggles along the way. The test for everyone who professes faith in Christ is this: At what point do I believe the teachings of Jesus are offensive and refuse to walk with Him? The world insists that we should satisfy our every desire; Jesus says deny yourself. The world says get all you can; Jesus says give all you have. The world says look out for number one; Jesus says look out for everyone else. The world says seek happiness; Jesus says seek holiness.
Listen, having been bought at the price of His precious blood, you are now a slave to your Savior. And make no mistake, in this life you will never find a more demanding Taskmaster who will demand everything from you. Jesus did not raise you from death to life so you could give Him half your heart; He demands all of it . . . and rightfully so! He gave you all of Himself while hanging on a cross, and it is only right for His disciples to give Him back the same.
How are things with you? Have you taken offense at any of the teaching of your Taskmaster? You are faced with a choice every moment of every day: Take offense and satisfy yourself . . . or take no offense and live out your slavery to the Savior. The first action leads to death . . . The second leads to life. The choice is yours.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 