For four weeks we’ve been journeying through Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John: we saw Jesus feed over 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, we heard Jesus say, “I AM the Bread of Life,” we joined the people in their questions and complaints as they wrestled with his words.
Now in this culmination of the story, we watch as some of Jesus’s disciples turn away and stop following him. And we hear Jesus ask those who remain, “What about you? Do you also wish to go away?”
What’s your gut reaction? Are Jesus words too much to bear? Are they for you the words of eternal life? Can you answer “yes” to both questions and wrestle with living in that tension?
Peter replies, “Lord, who is there to go to? You are the one who has the words of eternal life.” But later he denies Jesus when it’s crunch time (John 18:15-27). And later still Jesus gathers him back in (John 21:15-19).
Our belief in Jesus may ebb and flow over the changes and chances of life but the Love of Jesus abides in us and with us, ever calling us home.
Prayer:
Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. Amen.
Here are the scriptures featured in the series:
July 25: John 6:1-21
August 1 John 6:24-35
August 8 John 6:35, 41-51
August 15 John 6:51-58
August 22 John 6:56-69