It's A Struggle
Text: John 6:67
So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’
Jesus’ teachings are not always easy. There are times when what we hear Jesus say plainly causes us to wonder if we can keep up with that which he calls us to do and be. Love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, turn the other cheek may be just a few of those teachings.
There are other teachings, however, that may cause us to wonder if we want to keep up; they may cause us to simply want to go away. This is what was going on just before we hear Jesus ask “The Twelve” if they also wished to go away. Jesus had been talking about the fact that he is the bread of life and then he told those around him that in order to have life, they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Certainly not an easy thing to hear prior to our current understanding of The Lord’s Supper. From that point on, many stopped following Jesus, it was just too much for them. And, in so doing, they lost the opportunities afforded those who walk with Jesus.
Are there things that you hear Jesus say that make you wonder if you want to maintain your relationship with him? Are there things that make you wonder if it is really worth the risk? My guess is that if we are honest, we all have things that Jesus has called us to do that make us uncomfortable. Some of these things we may have simply misunderstood like, eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Others of these things we are simply not spiritually strong enough to do like, praying for our enemies and turning the other cheek. Other’s of these things we might simply ignore like, giving food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting those in prison.
What is it that you struggle with when you hear Jesus’ teachings? How will you overcome your struggle? When Jesus asks you, “Do you also wish to go away?”, how will you answer?
Pray with me:
Jesus, it is not always, or even often, easy to follow where you want me to go. Give me the courage I need to give myself away as I serve you by serving others and love you by loving all. AMEN.
So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’
Jesus’ teachings are not always easy. There are times when what we hear Jesus say plainly causes us to wonder if we can keep up with that which he calls us to do and be. Love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, turn the other cheek may be just a few of those teachings.
There are other teachings, however, that may cause us to wonder if we want to keep up; they may cause us to simply want to go away. This is what was going on just before we hear Jesus ask “The Twelve” if they also wished to go away. Jesus had been talking about the fact that he is the bread of life and then he told those around him that in order to have life, they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Certainly not an easy thing to hear prior to our current understanding of The Lord’s Supper. From that point on, many stopped following Jesus, it was just too much for them. And, in so doing, they lost the opportunities afforded those who walk with Jesus.
Are there things that you hear Jesus say that make you wonder if you want to maintain your relationship with him? Are there things that make you wonder if it is really worth the risk? My guess is that if we are honest, we all have things that Jesus has called us to do that make us uncomfortable. Some of these things we may have simply misunderstood like, eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Others of these things we are simply not spiritually strong enough to do like, praying for our enemies and turning the other cheek. Other’s of these things we might simply ignore like, giving food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting those in prison.
What is it that you struggle with when you hear Jesus’ teachings? How will you overcome your struggle? When Jesus asks you, “Do you also wish to go away?”, how will you answer?
Pray with me:
Jesus, it is not always, or even often, easy to follow where you want me to go. Give me the courage I need to give myself away as I serve you by serving others and love you by loving all. AMEN.
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Christ In MeIt's A StruggleLiving Out the MessageWhere is Your Heart?Why Give?Do Not be AfraidBlessed AssuranceDon't Leave it up to ChanceIntentional Self-CareTrust and FaithHave I been Crucified with Christ?Burning HeartsSolid FoodTo God be the GloryThe Friend of the BridegroomPure HeartsSeeing God EverywhereIs There No One to Intervene?Teach Me To PrayRedeeming the BadIncomparable GloryCare for God's CreationLife that is Really LifeOperating out of LoveBroken ChainsGod's Gift of GracePay it ForwardFrom Alien to CitizenRooted and Grounded in LoveDoes Jesus Still Weep?
February
Welcomed with LoveFaith DemonstratedLove When I Mess-UpWhat is the Source of my Words?Healing Found in ConfessionExperience is BelievingHoly LivingFrom Fall to GloryGrowing into our SalvationMy Life as a Beacon of LightJoining the People of GodExiles from the Broken WorldLet it GoDon't Get EatenTo Know or to KnowRepetition of the WordMyths or Personal ExperienceGod's TruthEyes to SeeLooking God in the EyeSelf-DeceptionForgive Me My SinWhat Makes Jesus Tick?Don't be Drawn AwayChild of GodJoyous Extravagant GenerosityActing Out TruthLove Restored
March
No Fear in LoveDon't Worry be HappyWorries and DistractionsDon't Be SuperficialSimplifyWorshipDo No HarmSpiritual HealingWhy Not Bring Them to Jesus?Self-CareLooking for JesusWhat's NextHunger for the WordGod Knows BestPrioritiesStaying CenteredThinking Outside of the BoxThe Impact of My Faith100% + 100% = 100%Seeing Strange ThingsAll Are WelcomeThrow a Party!Worthy of Receiving and Giving LoveLOLRecreating With New ClothRulesTake it to the LordTotal DependenceWhat Spills Out of You?Enough SaidThe Faith of an Ousider
Categories
no categories
No Comments