Will You Also Go Away?

Jesus’ teachings in John 6 were shocking, especially for those who did not understand what He was saying. When we are faced with ideas that do not fit neatly into our current understanding it is often easiest to simply dismiss them out of hand and go on thinking as we always have.

This is exactly what those people did. “When they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’” (John 6:60). Jesus didn’t walk back His teaching or apologize for it, but challenged them to seriously consider what He was saying.

The response was disappointing to say the least. “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” (John 6:66) Jesus then turned to the apostles and asked them, “Do you also want to go away?” (v. 67).

Peter’s response showed that he understood that even when Jesus’ teachings were hard or uncomfortable, they were the only path to life. Te Bible isn’t always easy to understand. Sometimes it requires careful study. The truths that it reveals will sometimes be a direct challenge to what you believe, practice, or the way that you live.

The question is, what will you do about it? Will you go away? Or will you accept even the hard sayings?