Redemption Rejected Series

Today is Palm Sunday, so called because when Jesus had His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people were exuberant and waved palm branches and placed them in the road where the Jesus, riding a donkey, walked into Jerusalem. It is interesting to note that palm branches, in that day was nationalist symbol for the nation of Israel. This did not go unnoticed by the powers that be. This event, according to John:

John 12:12–13 (NKJV) The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”

Hosanna is praise from the Hebrew meaning to “save us.” It was used as a messianic hope from Psalms 118:25-26. It is clear the people want Jesus be their king and to recuse them from the Romans.

It is funny how fickle people can be. When it became clear that Jesus was not there to be king, many of the same people, 5 days later were shouting:

John 19:14–15a (NKJV) Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”

Let’s examine this morning the rejection of the Messiah, the rejection of the only means of redemption. This was not the first time Jesus was rejected.

Imagine a church that grows from a dozen members to well over 5,000 --- in just 3 years. They have strong leaders, enthusiastic members, and a fantastic preacher. Miracles are happening every day. The whole country is talking about it. Then one morning … after the Preacher gives one short little sermon … boom … the congregation goes from 5,000 back down to the original 12.

That’s what happened to Jesus in our focal passage today (John 6:60-71). Jesus had developed a huge following. His congregation grew to the point that no building in Galilee could hold them. Look back to the beginning of chapter 6 - All 4 Gospels describe one meeting where he fed 5,000 men … not even counting the women and children. (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9). After that, the people wanted to grab Jesus, make him their King, and march to Jerusalem in a big Victory Parade.

John 6:15 (NKJV) Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

That’s when Jesus ducked out. The 12 disciples set sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walks out on the water and meets them in the middle of lake late that night . But the next morning his determined fans tracked him down. Instead of feeding them breakfast, Jesus preached a short sermon where he told them “I am the bread of life.” The people were bewildered. Their stomachs were growling. Their blood sugar level was getting low. Their mouths were watering for bread and fish. What did “I am the bread of life” mean? The crowd started grumbling. As the day went on, most of them “quit the church” so to speak. Even many of the 70 disciples that Jesus had sent out as missionaries left him. When Jesus looked around at the end of that day, only the 12 remained. [1]

John 6:60 (NKJV) Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

“A hard saying” can also be translated as a harsh saying, meaning they find the teachings of Jesus as offensive. “Who can understand it” was a nice way of saying, “Who can stand to listen to this trash, this offensive message." Jesus was just saying how he is the bread that came down from heaven:

John 6:41 (NKJV) The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

Then Jesus goes on to say that they must eat his flesh and drink His blood (verse 53). They obviously did not take to it very well.

John 6:61–62 (NKJV) When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?

“Does this offend you?” The fact is, the teachings of Jesus is offensive to a sin sick world. Just bringing up the name of Jesus will offend many. They were offended that Jesus claimed to be from Heaven. So He asks how will they take it if they see Him return from where He came from. And sure enough, some of them will.