Day 21 - John 6:41-71
09 Feb 2017
What Jesus has just said has caused some controversy. As he continues to speak, he deals with some the objections in the minds of those listening.
The first objection comes in verse 42. It is “who does he think he is?”. Some of the crowds listening know Mary and Joseph. Is Jesus getting too big for his boots - making grand claims about being bread that satisfies.
Jesus answers their words in verse 43-48. They may know his human origins, but they’ll never truly understand who he is if they just focus on that. He has come from his heavenly Father. To really understand who Jesus is we don’t need to go looking for earthy records of his life, we need to go back to the Old Testament (verse 45). It is very dangerous to think that Jesus was just a man. Eternal life is at stake (verse 47).
The second objection comes in verse 52. It is “surely Jesus is just talking nonsense”. How can we be expected to understand what Jesus is saying about eating his flesh like bread? Jesus responds by simply reiterating all he has already been saying - we need him more than we need physical bread. But how can we “eat” him? Jesus has begun to explain that back in verse 40. If we look to him and believe in him, then he will give us eternal life. The rest of the gospel, and the New Testament will expand o that for us.
The third objection comes in verse 60. It is “this is too hard for us to believe”. someone once said “it’s not the things in the Bible I don’t understand that I’ve got a problem with, it’s the things in the Bible that I do understand which cause me problems”. The idea that our only way to God is through Jesus is counter cultural. The message that we don’t earn our salvation, but simply trust Jesus is humbling. Jesus knows that. The only way we can accept and believe these words is if the Holy Spirit is at work within us.
Although at this stage many turn away from Jesus, not all do. The Holy Spirit is at work granting faith. The Twelve disciples stay with Jesus. Their response to Jesus challenge reveals their faith. Is it ours?
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (verse 69)