Staying Power

Read John 4:46–6:71

53. Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.
54. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.
55. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
56. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
57. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.
58. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
59. He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. John 6:53-59

“Can’t be.”
“No way.”
“Get outta here.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

These are some of the responses used to dismiss claims that stretch the limits of probability. When hard-to-believe statements are made, critics zoom in and strafe the landscape with dismissals, improbabilities, and proofs against. Meanwhile, a small minority might believe. Sometimes the critics are right; sometimes they are not.

In this portion of Scripture, you will see Jesus make the kinds of statements that divide the audience—not down the middle, but sharply to one side. Most disbelieve. A few hold on. This is too wild to be true. Or is it?

As you read, imagine yourself in that audience—on which side do you stand?

Jesus’ words caused many of his followers to desert him because they just couldn’t accept what he said (John 6:66). Many people respond to Jesus that way. They hear the Word of God, learn a little of Jesus’ teachings and actions, and decide to turn away from him. If you ask why, you will hear as many reasons as people you ask. But the bottom line is that they leave because he asks too much—the cost is too high.

What Jesus asks is sometimes difficult. But if we turn away from him, where will we go? As Peter said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life” (John 6:68). If you feel that Jesus asks too much, ask him to change your heart. Then have the courage to keep on following in faith, as Peter did.