DAY #154: John 6:60-7:13

At this time in Jesus’ ministry, He had several followers who could loosely be called his disciples. These “disciples” were not the Twelve, and many of them would not receive his message. They pointed out that it was hard to understand. The motive behind Jesus’ harsh words is not difficult to see—he wanted people to count the cost of following him (Luke 14:25-33). His words shocked and challenged. They were not comfortable half-truths, but hard-edged truth. Those who follow Jesus in hopes of feeling good will always be disappointed sooner or later. Only those who find in Jesus the rock-solid truth will be able to weather the difficulties of living in this fallen world.

From the beginning of his ministry Jesus knew that some of the ones following him were not believers in his true identity as the Son of God come from heaven. Jesus also knew from the first who would betray him. This was Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For a moment, John interrupts with a brief word of explanation for his original readers and us. Jesus included Judas in every facet of his ministry, knowing all the time that he would not respond to the living truth. Jesus’ treatment of Judas was consistent with his own character, despite that which Judas deserved for his unwillingness to believe.

Jesus statement that tough things lay ahead for those who follow Him, caused many of his disciples to not follow anymore. Within sight of the Kingdom of Heaven, privileged with a taste of the bread of life, and watching the living water flow, they nevertheless walked away. In a short sentence, John captured one of the saddest moments in the ministry of Jesus.

The more the people heard Jesus’ real message, the more they divided into two camps—the honest seekers wanting to understand more, and those rejecting Jesus because they didn’t like what they heard. Peter replied, “To whom would we go?” In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us—there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words that give eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. There is nowhere else to go.

Because the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem were plotting his death, Jesus stayed in Galilee for the next twelve months. He was not afraid of the Jewish leaders; rather, he knew that his time to die had not yet come. When God’s intended time came, he would willingly give his life. According to the synoptic Gospels, during this time Jesus ministered actively throughout Galilee (with Capernaum as his home base).

The Festival of Shelters occurred about six months after the Passover celebration. This festival commemorated the days when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness and lived in tents (Leviticus 23:43). Celebrated in the month of Tishri (September/October in our calendar), it marked the gathering of the autumn harvest including the grapes. During this time many Jews went to Jerusalem and built shelters in which they would live for a full week while enjoying the festivities in the city. These simple dwellings helped the people remember their days of misery in the wilderness.

Jesus’ brothers, the sons of Joseph and Mary, did not believe that their brother was the Messiah. Jesus’ brothers scoffed at him. They urged him to prove his identity by showing his wonderful miracles in Jerusalem, so that the world could see that Jesus was who he claimed to be. But because of their unbelief, they missed the point. The miracles had pictured Jesus’ power and glory. He would reveal his true glory and power through his death and resurrection, and the time for that revelation was coming.

After Jesus’ mocking brothers left for the festival in Jerusalem, Jesus also went, though secretly. Jesus would not go up to Jerusalem for the purpose of showing himself to be the Christ (which was what his brothers had told him to do. In fact, Jesus could not be found during the first few days of the festival.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Jesus calls us to a whole-hearted, sold out Christian life. No luke-warmness. No half-hearted measures. No middle ground. No political correctness.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)

Lord, raise up these kind of men and women at COV. Thank you for this past Sunday and the commitment of so many. Walk with them, support them, encourage them. Be with them.