Are You Ready... For The Word? Pt. 2

John 6:59–69 (NASB95)

59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62 “What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Before being diagnosed with diabetes, I used to love fruitopia and James lemonade. Probably the most sugar filled drinks on the shelf in early 2000’s. After diagnosed, I tried several diet drinks, and Lord I could tell the difference. Since I love lemonade, I explored a few diet ones and then came across Simply Light Lemonade which is sweetened with stevia leaf. It is the only lemonade you will find in our refrigerator. Light drinks, acquired taste, for me necessary because it helps me manage diabetes, which helps manage my life.

The purpose of this message is to encourage all toward a sustained and uninterrupted appetite for the Word of Jesus. As well as warn against arriving to a point where Jesus words are indigestible.

Disciples who begin refusing Jesus’ Word

The entire context really gives us attitudes and responses from 3 groups, but we will look at two. Remember Jesus fed 5000 people on the other side of the lake. The next day the pursue after Jesus to the other side, which was Capernaum. Jesus begins a long discourse with them about what they pursue. More specifically not pursuing bread.

Preoccupied by earthly thinking

There mentality is shown. 1. seeking Jesus because how well fed (food, v. 26). 2. after seeing that miracle, they tried to force him to be a king (political power, v. 15), 3. Caught up with miraculous signs as only means to believe in him.

Application: If any of us are preoccupied by earthly thoughts, it’s like putting yourself in a room around stuff that you know will upset your stomach.

Grumble and stumble

Now, Jesus took the bread topic and built the entire conversation. He first gets the Jews by saying “I am the bread that came down from heaven”. But when he starts saying that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have life, verse 60 says many of his disciples had an issue. They start saying under their voice “This is a hard word to swallow”. Jesus turned to them and challenged them.

Application: An attitude of one who has been with Jesus, but beginning to refuse his word, grumbling and stumbling. The issue isn’t with misunderstanding, it is their intolerance. There are some hard words to digest. What makes us say “I didn’t sign up for this?”

Lack faith

Jesus clarifies everything he’s been saying in verse 63. His main point in all this is to help them understand that he came from heaven to give his life, and for all who believe, will receive life benefits. But then Jesus had to tell some his disciples, “You don’t believe”.

Application: We must be careful of a waning belief. Because Jesus has some radical saying that challenge what we believe.

Withdraw

It is those things that lead up to verse 66, that says MANY of his disciples left him and no longer walked with him.

Application: Withdrawal from Jesus is a withdrawal from his word. This should remind us of another group, who were with GOD’s people, but not really with GOD. Israel in the wilderness.

Disciples who steadily accept Jesus’ Word

But now I want to encourage us how we can always be ready to accept Jesus words. Jesus, likely emotional at this point, but not needing any approval of man, but needing the 12 to make a decision for themselves. Looks at them and flat asks, are y’all gone leave too?

Captivated by Jesus

Peter’s response is profound, and gives a good example. What other alternative do we have??

Application: We must be captivated by Jesus. I am gripped by his person. Why Peter?

Hunger and thirst for eternal life

Peter says you have the words of eternal life. Jesus said spirit and life are his words. Peter demonstrates he has eternal life on his mind, and that’s what’s keeping him tied to Jesus.

Application: Is it eternal life that we hunger for. Or life here? Eternal life includes duration, but mainly emphasizes quality of life.

Fully assured

Lastly, he demonstrates he was fully assured. It’s been enough for us to hear and see that Jesus is the one scripture has pointed to.

Application: Are we fully assured of who Jesus is. No doubts. Don’t understand everything, but this for sure I’m convinced of!!