Go! And Follow When It’s Hard to Understand
John 6:60 (NLT): “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’”
Introduction: When Faith Doesn’t Make Sense
Have you ever faced a moment when following Jesus simply didn’t make sense? When His Word cut across what the world calls “reasonable”?
Maybe you’ve read something in Scripture and thought, “Lord, this is hard to understand!”
You’re not alone—because even the followers of Jesus said those very words in John 6:60.
John 6 is one of the most revealing chapters in the Gospels. Jesus has just performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Crowds flock to Him, eager for bread that fills the stomach. But then Jesus declares something far more radical—He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He tells the crowd that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood if they are to have eternal life (John 6:53–54). The language shocks them. It sounds scandalous, offensive, incomprehensible.
And so we read: “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’” (John 6:60 NLT)
This verse captures one of the great crises of discipleship:
What do you do when God’s truth challenges your understanding?
When Jesus’ words offend your pride, stretch your faith, or demand your surrender?
Today’s message, “Go! And Follow When It’s Hard to Understand”, calls us to faith that holds fast when reason falters—to trust Jesus not because we always understand Him, but because we know Him.
Point 1: The Crisis of Faith — When the Word Offends the Flesh
John 6:60–61 (NLT): “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’”
Jesus does not soften His teaching to make it more palatable. He does not apologise for His words. Instead, He exposes the root issue—offence.
The Greek word translated offend is s?a?da???? (skandalizo)—from which we get our English word “scandalise.” It means to cause to stumble, to trip up, or to be ensnared.
The truth of Christ became a stumbling block to those who were not ready to believe.
In 1 Corinthians 1:23 (NLT), Paul says, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.”
Why? Because the cross challenges human logic. The idea that salvation comes through the suffering and death of a crucified Saviour defies worldly wisdom.
But faith is not built on what is logical; it is built on what is true.
John Piper once said, “Faith in Jesus is not merely accepting His gifts but trusting His character when His ways are confusing.”
And that is exactly what John 6 calls us to—trusting the heart of Christ even when His words confound our minds.
When you don’t understand what God is doing—when the healing doesn’t come, when the prayer isn’t answered, when obedience costs you dearly—remember that faith is not about comfort; it’s about commitment.
Real discipleship begins where convenience ends.
A young missionary couple once went to a remote tribe to share the Gospel. After two years, they saw no visible fruit. One day, discouraged, they prayed, “Lord, we don’t understand why You sent us here.”
That very week, a villager came, saying, “We’ve watched your love and patience for two years, and we want to know your God.”
Faithfulness in confusion often precedes fruitfulness in God’s timing.
Point 2: The Cross Reveals Who Truly Believes
John 6:66–68 (NLT): “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?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.’”
This moment is one of the most defining in all Scripture. Many walk away. The crowd thins.
Following Jesus is easy when the bread is free and the miracles are frequent. But when He speaks of the cross, of sacrifice, of total surrender—many turn back.
Peter’s confession here is beautiful and profound. The Greek phrase “You have the words that give eternal life” uses ??µata ???? a?????? (rhemata zoes aioniou)—literally, “utterances of life without end.” Peter recognises that eternal life is not found in understanding, but in trusting the Person of Christ.
R.T. Kendall said, “Faith is doing what God says, even when it doesn’t make sense—because you trust that He knows more than you do.”
When Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” he was acknowledging: even when I don’t understand, I know there is nowhere else to turn but You.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Faith is not blind—it’s trusting the One who sees perfectly.
In our age of information, we idolise understanding. We want to figure out God before we’ll follow God.
But discipleship begins not with explanation, but with submission.
To follow Jesus means to say, “Even when I can’t trace Your hand, I will trust Your heart.”
Imagine standing before a tapestry from the back—you see only tangled threads and knots. But turn it around, and you behold a masterpiece.
Faith is living on the side of the tapestry that looks confusing, believing that on the other side, Christ is weaving beauty from every thread.
Point 3: The Spirit Gives Life—The Flesh Counts for Nothing
John 6:63 (NLT): “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
Here Jesus draws the sharpest contrast possible: the flesh (s??? – sarx) versus the Spirit (p?e?µa – pneuma).
The flesh represents human reasoning, natural understanding, and self-effort. The Spirit represents divine revelation and transforming power.
Jesus is not calling for literal cannibalism—He’s calling for spiritual communion. He is the Bread of Heaven, and His words are life. To “eat His flesh and drink His blood” means to believe in Him fully—to receive His sacrifice as our sustenance.
Charles Stanley wrote, “Obedience to God is the pathway to spiritual understanding. We often want understanding before obedience, but God gives understanding to those who obey.”
In other words, revelation follows surrender.
Romans 8:6 (NLT): “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
When the Word seems hard, when obedience feels heavy, ask: Am I trying to understand this through the flesh or the Spirit?
It is the Spirit who opens our eyes to the beauty of truth that once offended us.
The Gospel: The Bread That Was Broken for You
At the heart of John 6 is the Gospel itself. Jesus is the Bread of Life—broken so that we might live.
On the cross, His body was torn, His blood was poured out. He became the sacrifice for our sin.
The one who said, “Eat My flesh and drink My blood,” would soon give His flesh and blood for our redemption.
The Bread of Life was broken so that the hungry could be filled.
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:24–25 (NLT), “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me… This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.”
At Calvary, Jesus satisfied the righteous wrath of God. He bore our sin, our guilt, and our shame.
And three days later, He rose from the grave—conquering sin, death, and hell.
That’s why Peter could say, “You have the words of eternal life.” Because eternal life is found in the risen Lord alone.
Call to Action: Go! And Follow When It’s Hard
Friends, discipleship is not a hobby; it’s a lifelong surrender.
Jesus is not looking for fans—He’s calling for followers.
Will you follow Him even when the teaching is tough?
Will you trust Him when His Word challenges your comfort?
Will you remain when others walk away?
Max Lucado wrote, “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It’s the belief that God will do what is right.”
And sometimes, doing what is right means trusting Him through tears, confusion, and unanswered prayers.
Go—and follow Jesus when it’s hard to understand.
Go—and hold on to the Word of Life when others walk away.
Go—and feed daily on the Bread of Heaven—Jesus Christ.
Invitation to Salvation:
Perhaps you’re here today and, like those in John 6, you’ve found Jesus’ words difficult. Maybe you’ve admired Him, but you’ve never truly trusted Him.
Friend, today He calls you not to understand everything—but to believe.
Believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.
Repent—turn from sin—and trust Him as your Lord and Saviour.
He alone can fill the hunger of your soul.
He alone can give you eternal life.
Will you come to Him today?
Benediction / Exhortation:
May you go forth trusting the One who holds all understanding.
When you cannot see the way, may you rest in the One who is the Way.
May your faith stand firm in the storms of confusion,
And may your heart find daily nourishment in the Bread of Life—Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
