Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard, Follow Jesus!

Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard, Follow Jesus!

Scripture - John 6:66-69 “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. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

Introduction: “Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men” sounds so simple, and almost too easy. Without knowing where, how far or how long, without knowing the cost or the sacrifice, these disciples were so convinced, they left all to follow Jesus. What an exciting adventure! What happens when following Jesus gets hard? It is easy to join a crowd. We all want to be a part of something big and exciting. Many rejoiced to see his miracles and listen to his parables, but now Jesus speaks plainly. The crowd had just finished eating a banquet of fish and loaves, shaking their heads at such miracle. Then Jesus shocked them with these words in John 6:56-59,

“Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.” Many turned from following Him.

Although Jesus’ words “I am the bread of life” are familiar to many Christians, in this passage the disciples declare this to be a “hard saying.” Jesus is teaching in the synagogue where he is interpreting a passage of scripture that was introduced by the crowd in verse 31. They ask Jesus for a sign similar to the one Israel experienced in the wilderness, “as it is written, ‘he gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus goes on to interpret this verse about the manna, and declares himself to be manna, the “bread of life”. Just as manna gave life in the wilderness, so also Jesus gives life.

Although the crowd was initially enthusiastic about the idea of Jesus as one like Moses who could provide this miraculous bread, they reject the idea that Jesus himself was the manna. Jesus’ own disciples declare his teaching to be “hard,” and many of them turn away from him. What do you do when following Jesus get hard? Although modern readers are conditioned to hear Jesus’ words about those “who eat my flesh and drink my blood” as the Lord’s Supper, the disciples at the time would have no knowledge of the Eucharist. They were offended by the idea of eating his body and drinking his blood. Just as Israel in the original manna story, had a mixed response to God’s salvation, this crowd of Jesus had a mixed response. Israel immediately begins to “grumble” or “complain” against God and Moses in the wilderness because they do not trust God to take care of them. Over and over, with questions of water, food, and physical safety, the Israelites play out the same drama of whether they will trust God to care for them.

Similarly, the group following Jesus initially receives the miraculous food supply and heralds Jesus as a prophet. But they also begin to “grumble” against Jesus following his teaching about the manna. Like the Israelites, they have experienced God’s miraculous provision, but they do not trust that God will continue to provide for them something more as they feed on Jesus. To partake of Jesus as manna involves a reliance on God. One way John expresses this throughout the Gospel is through the word “abide.” The idea of “abiding” appears throughout John’s Gospel, although it is often translated “remain”: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me and I in them.” Feeding on Jesus as manna means remaining or abiding with Jesus. It is through this abiding in Him that Jesus brings life to those who feed on Him.

But “abiding” with Jesus is difficult. Staying with Jesus and learning from him is a long process. For many, a quick fix would be more attractive. The crowd was initially attracted to Jesus when they saw him as a Moses figure — one who could work miracles and provide political victories. As they continue with him, they learn that Jesus is not offering an easy victory but the long road of discipleship.

The twelve decided to stick with Jesus even though his teaching is difficult. Here, they recognize Jesus’ words as life giving and do not turn away. In doing so, they represent what it means to trust in God’s provisions. They stick closely to Jesus, who is the manna, and they listen to his words. This is their only real option — much like the Israelites stuck in the wilderness, whose only option is to return to slavery: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life”. John’s Gospel is written in a way that mirrors this need to “abide” with Jesus. As His believing Children, we feed on Jesus as manna, and “abide” in His presence to learn of Him that we may come to understand what John is getting at here.