August 21, 2022

The Choice is Ours

The Choice is Ours

John 6:60–71, ESV

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
Here are the choices presented to the disciples upon hearing what they consider a hard saying:
  1. Receive the life of Jesus as presented by His flesh and blood - flesh alone is not enough, the Spirit animating the flesh creates life.
  2. To believe the GOD who sent Jesus.
  3. Not to turn back, but stay in the grace-filled relationship of discipleship - discipleship is free, but it will only cost them and us our yes.
Yet, Peter and the "12" make the better choice:
The choice of:
  1. Life
  2. Belief
  3. Knowledge - They make staying with Jesus their choice

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