December 19, 2013 (John 5-6)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” John 6:66-67 NLT
Observation: Jesus had just laid out some very difficult and offensive truth. He made it clear that He was the only way to the Father. It would be by faith in Him that people would have access to a right relationship with God, not through works of righteousness. He did not come to fulfill the selfish self-centered request of man-kind; He came to do His Fathers will. His Fathers will included teaching that was difficult to understand and shocking to receive. Many of His disciples turned away from His teaching because it was just too much for them to submit to. They deserted Him because the price was too high. Yet Jesus even offered “The Twelve” an opportunity to leave if they wanted, He did not force them to follow Him against their own will. True followers of Christ follow Him with sincere love and passion for Him, not out of obligation or outward compulsion.
Application: Often times the lessons Christ teaches us are hard to understand and difficult to endure. Sometimes “eating His flesh and drinking His blood” is a much more difficult task than most would like to admit. Fully surrendering and submitting to His will is no easy thing. It will take our total and complete dedication, and a passion to please Him over all else, for us to ever be successful in being His disciples. We must realize like Peter, there is no other way. Christ alone has the words of eternal life. We do not serve Him for what we can get from Him, nor for what He can do for us. We are His disciples because of who He is, not because of what He can give. It is only with this attitude and mindset that we will ever have the courage and strength to remain with Him when so many others turn away and desert Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the courage and desire to stay with You in the midst of a nation that is turning away from You and deserting You. Bless my family and save those that are lost. Help me be a disciple You will be well pleased with today, in Jesus name, Amen!