Is it okay If I write twice in a day? I hope so.
As I have continued to ponder John chapter 6 for our Journey In John, I was helped by verse 60 (long chapter).
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (John 6:60, ESV)
Sometimes Jesus says hard things. Sometimes Jesus does hard things. Have you ever disliked something you read in the bible? Is it wrong to dislike something in the bible? Sometimes I want to say what Jesus’ disciples say, “this is a hard saying!” They aren’t wrong, it is a hard saying. Jesus says things like, “eat me” and, “drink my blood” in this chapter. That is really hard stuff to take in, isn’t it? Sometimes scripture is hard to hear. It’s not like we can read every passage and have our hearts leap for joy and obedience. There will be times when we just don’t understand or like what we hear.
So what does Jesus do with the dislike? Jesus tells them, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (John 6:63b, ESV).” Jesus doesn’t make the sayings easier but he is very patient with his followers misunderstandings. Moments later we catch a glimpse into what Jesus does want us to do with the hard sayings in scripture. He wants us to say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, (John 6:68, ESV).”
I was helped by this because I am often like the disciples. I don’t always want to hear what God’s word says. My human heart often rebels against the truth because it is hard. I want to be like Peter who essentially says, “I don’t understand, but where else can I go, you are my savior.” Notice how Jesus praises Peter for this response. We don’t always need to understand or like what we hear, but we do need to keep listening.
