Hard Truths
John 6:60-71
💥 THE BRIEFING
N.T. Wright writes, “If you go to a meeting where someone demolishes the way you’ve been brought up to think, and offers you instead a way of looking at the world which, though convincing, will be extremely costly, you may well find good reasons to be somewhere else next time the preacher comes to town.”1
I’ve been there. Honestly, on quite a regular basis, what I consider to be “true” is challenged. It seems like the years 25-30 of my life have reshaped many things I used to believe, while also reaffirming others, but I would guess 75% of my beliefs have been considerably reshaped.
Funnily enough, during a Bible study just this week, of which 3 of us are dads, and the 4th is newly married with no kids yet, the Dad’s noticed just how exponentially we have changed since our kids were born, and in this world we live in, where everyone has their own truth, we can expect this to be the case.
We can’t forget that in the proceeding passages Christ feeds the 5,000, and then walks on water, yet in last weeks post (welcome to the team Jimmy), we see these followers being challenged. Their truth is put under the microscope and suddenly they don’t like this free bread dealing miracle worker… and I can’t help but see the parallels of Israel’s grumblings here tying all the way back to the story of Exodus. Constantly grumbling, constantly being corrected, constantly getting back in line, and repeat. Sounds like my relationship with God, and my kids’ relationship with me.
It’s easy to accept the truth that someone is sharing with you when it already fits the narrative you’ve built up in your own mind.
It’s easy for me to see the truth in my behaviors when events are going in my favor. It’s challenging when my three-year-old doesn’t get what he wants, because in his head, he’s the one in charge.
The crux of this text, however, I believe is in John 6:62-63. We need to come to terms with the fact that Jesus was equally at home on earth as He was in heaven. He was, and is, the Word made flesh. When you wrap your head around this and understand that when the flesh is indwell with the Spirit of God, everything in the previous discourse becomes a bit more clear.
Similarly, when you get your eyes on Christ and constantly reframe your thinking about a God who would bear pain and suffering because of His love for us, you begin to see the world more clearly. And in turn, the things that are “true” are more and more, for lack of a better word, not.
Obviously, unless this is your first time studying John (in which case, welcome!), you know that Jesus will teach His disciples, and us 2,000 years later, much more about this ‘Spirit in us’ concept. But what He is asking us here is to grasp His words spiritually rather than merely physically, while also recognizing that our understanding will never be complete here on earth.
🎙️ THE CORNER TALK
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”2
Jesus just told the crowds they need to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Now even His disciples are backing away: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
Jesus doesn’t chase after them. He doesn’t soften the message. He doesn’t say, “Let me explain what I really meant,” or “Here’s a version you might find more palatable.”
He lets them walk.
Then He turns to the Twelve and asks, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
We live in a world where everyone has their own truth. Where we’re told to find what works for us, what feels right, what aligns with our personal journey. But Jesus isn’t offering customizable truth. He’s offering the truth, and it’s costly.
Peter’s response cuts through all of it: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Peter doesn’t say he understands. He doesn’t say it’s easy. He’s essentially admitting, “This is hard, but You’re still the only one worth following.”
The crowds wanted a Messiah who made sense on their terms. Many disciples wanted teaching that fit their preferences. But biblical truth doesn’t bend to our comfort, we bend to it.
🥊 THE FIGHT PLAN
A simple question this week:
Where are you softening Jesus’ teaching to make yourself feel more comfortable?
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.3
Are you loving God and loving your neighbor?
🤝 THE HUDDLE
Our kids are growing up in a world that treats truth like a buffet, take what you like, leave what you don’t. And if we’re I’m honest? I do it too.
We’ll follow Jesus when it makes sense. When it fits our plans. When it doesn’t cost us too much, but the moment His Word pushes back on our money, our pride, our comfort, our schedule? Oof.
Are we following Jesus, or a version of Jesus we’re more comfortable with?
Obedience is expensive.
Stop editing Jesus. Stop making excuses for why you can’t do what His Word clearly says. And let your kids see you choose the hard path because it’s His path.
They need to see a dad who doesn’t soften the message, even for himself.
In Your Corner,
Chance
Tom Wright, John for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-10 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 89.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 6:63–64.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 22:36–40.