1 Samuel 10:1-11:15
John 6:43-71
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 15:1-3
In Jn 6:32 is where the fragility of the faith of those who left begins to appear, it would seem - when Jesus claims to know of a bread greater than Moses, and then claims to be that very bread in verse 35. He goes further, declaring that trust in the heavenly bread - in Him - is God's will, God being Jesus's Father. So at the end of yesterday's NT reading, we see people begin to challenge His teachings - after all, isn't He just the Son of Joseph? We know his parents! What is He talking about?
We pick it up in v43 today, and Jesus, rather than being sympathetic or conciliatory, admonishes them - stop grumbling! And He doubles down, citing the Prophets as further evidence of His saving nature, of His divinity. At this point, it seems like many in the audience are merely looking for reason to justify disagreement, no longer searching for the truth behind His words. There is no longer the humility one would expect of a disciple listening to a teacher, giving the teacher's words the benefit of the doubt. Why the change? I can only guess, not having been there myself, but it would seem as though at this point, Jesus diverged from their preconceived notion of the Messiah, and what the Messiah would do. It seems that at this point, it became apparent to them that salvation was going to have to require some effort on their part, perhaps effort they did not want to have to make. Perhaps they were looking for a Savior who would do everything for them. And so when it became apparent they had things to do themselves to enjoy salvation, they were unable to accept it: "This is a hard teaching." And this is why "from this time, many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him."
How often do we see that today, in bodies as large as entire churches, to single individuals such as ourselves - all deciding God couldn't be God, His Word couldn't be right - because it wasn't what we wanted? Because it wasn't what makes us feel good? It certainly seems to happen a lot. I certainly try to excuse my sins, citing the worthiness of the best of intentions, as if that made any difference in the light of God's Word.
I don't know if it was bravado, or a lack of alternatives, but whatever it was, I want to learn, I want my family to learn, to respond to these situations the way Peter did. We know he was strong and proud to the point of arrogance; we know he was a bit of a coward; we know he wasn't necessarily very smart - but through all of that, what he was, was faithful. When faced with similar situations, as we will be throughout our lives, may we always find ourselves answering "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One of God."
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