The Stumbling Grumblers

Last week we saw Jesus proclaim himself the source and giver of of eternal life. This week we see the reaction of the crowds. One might think the reaction would be favorable after all they have followed him across the sea of Galilee and seen him create bread for them to eat but instead we find their reaction is one of rejection. So why now reject his claim and why is it that Jesus popularity so drastically drops after this point in his ministry. I believe the answer is found in three stumbling stones that the Jewish crowds are unable to get past. I propose that it is these stumbling blocks that lead not only the Jewish crowds to reject Jesus but these same three stumbling blocks are the reasons people reject him today. Look with me at John 6:35-45

John 6:35–45 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

The Stumbling Block of Familiarity

John 6:41–42 ESV

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

Notice the first complaint is that Jesus cant have come from heaven he cant have come from God cause we know him, we know his parents. We grew up with him he cant be from God. Who does he think he his.

We hear the same arguments today he cant be a christian you should have seen the kinds of things he did as a kid. He ain’t saved not even God can fix someone like that. Who does he think he’s fooling we all know what he did.

This argument is one of misdirection and the blame game if they can change the focus to our sins then they don’t have to think about theirs. Yet we can turn this to our advantage when we admit those sins and proclaim God’s gracious forgiveness of those sins and that they too can be forgiven.

These people had grown up with Jesus and knew him as the carpenters son. Yet here he is teaching and proclaiming himself to be the bread of heaven the source of eternal life and that he came from heaven and it is to much of a change to drastic of a difference between their preconceptions of who he is and who Jesus now claims to be. In the same way when Jesus saves us and makes us into a new creation it is hard for those who know us best to accept the change in us and to hear about God’s work in our lives.

Yet Jesus response reminds us that it is not our role to save anyone but rather it is God’s therefore we should be pointing to him.

The Stumbling Block of Arrogance

John 6:44–45 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

The second reason people reject salvation is their arrogance and pride. They believe they can take care of themselves and have no need for God and even if they decide to “come to God” then it is on their terms, their timing and their way, ultimately it is their choice right, or is it?

Notice Jesus words here No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him. It is God himself that draws people to Jesus. This same idea appears in John 6:37

John 6:37 ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

and John 6:45

John 6:45 ESV

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Three times Jesus says it is the Father who draws men and women to Jesus yet we in our arrogance and pride. People often think they can come to Christ and recieve salvation at no cost to themselves no obligations on their part and no commitment. Yet this is not the teaching of Jesus. Jesus says John 14:15

John 14:15 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Time and again Jesus warns us of the cost of discipleship. The Christian life is not one of ease and pampering but one of service and one of sacrifice in service to God. Why then would one choose to follow Christ because we have found the True God who can change the hearts of man and give us life. He is the source of Eternal life and He gives it to those who follow him. But make no mistake following him will cost you. Yet the rewards far outweigh the cost. What then does this have to do with the stumbling block of arrogance, simply this we often believe we know what is best and we would choose for ourselves the lives of comfort and plenty, while God desires that we have a life of faithfulness to him, that we share with those around us not out of our plenty but rather all that we have. The commands of God time and time again draw us to go beyond what we think is necessary or sensible, the question is will we humble ourselves and take up our cross to follow him or will we in our arrogance think we know a better way. Will you allow your pride to cause you to reject Jesus or will you humble yourself and heed the voice of God in your life to come to him on his terms in his timing and in his way. Will you choose today to submit to him as Lord of your life. The reason Jesus came was to draw all mankind to himself. Even now he is calling to us how will you answer?

They Reject the Teachings of God

John 6:45 ESV

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Finally I want you to notice Jesus final appeal is to the authority of Scripture It is written, Jesus uses this phrase often in his ministry showing a high value of the authority of Scripture as the word of God. Here again he says it is written all will be taught by God everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me

How then are we taught by God how do we learn from the Father the answer is we do so through his Scripturse the Word of God. This Book is the instructions the teachings of God. Yet so many reject it as such even some who claim to be Christians say that it is not really the word of God but merely a collection of stories to guide us in moral living. My friends I tell you that is a lie of Satan. This book is either the Word of the Living God or it is the most damnable piece of trash ever written there is no in between. For its very pages claim its divine inspiritation.

2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Thus we know the Bible claims to be the word of God and it is this that is to be used to teach us the ways of God. Therefore those who reject it ultimately reject Jesus and the source of salvation.

Invitation

My question for you is will you allow these blocks to be blocks of stumbling or blocks of faith? You see each one of these can either hold you back from God or draw you closer to him. Knowing the Christians past can cause you to think hes faking it or cause you to see the grace and love of God that he would save even one such as them. You can choose to be prideful and rely on your own strength in life or you can humble yourself and allow God to fight on your behalf. You can choose to reject the Bible and its teachings or you can find in its pages wisdom and peace beyond any you have ever known. Whether you are a non-beliver considering God for the first time or a life long Christian you could be struggling today with one of these issues I ask you this question. Will they be stumbling blocks or will you use them to build your faith in God the choice is yours? Let us pray.