The Gospel of John: John 6.60-71

Read and meditate on John 6.60-71.
Jesus made it plain from the beginning that following Him, no matter the cost, is what it means to be a true disciple. He has the words of life. He is our meat and drink. His words are true spiritual life. The Father is drawing (dragging – Augustine) people to Him. Following Jesus can cost you everything in your life, but it will bring you true life instead.

                                                                            ⁶⁰So then,
when many of His followers heard Him
say this, they said, “These words are hard; who can
make sense of this? And who can understand
it?” ⁶¹Jesus, when He knew that they complained
about this, said to them, “Does this offend
you? ⁶²What if, then, you should observe the Son
of Man ascend again to where He’d come
from?  ⁶³Life comes from the Holy Spirit, for
the flesh is of no profit. All the words
I speak to you are life and spirit. ⁶⁴Some
of you, I know, do not believe.” For from
the start, He knew those from among them who
did not believe in Him; He also knew
who would betray Him. ⁶⁵And He said, “Therefore,
I say to you, as I have said before,
no one can come to Me unless it has
been granted to him by My Father.” ⁶⁶As
of that time, therefore, many who had been
with Him turned back, and would not walk again
with Him. ⁶⁷Then to the twelve He said, “Do you
want also to turn back?” ⁶⁸But Peter to
Him answered, “Lord, to whom else shall we go?
You have the words of life; ⁶⁹and this we know,
and all believe: You are the Christ, the Son
of God.” ⁷⁰Then Jesus answered, “Every one
of you, the twelve, I chose to follow Me.
And one of you a devil is.” ⁷¹Now He
referred to Judas, son of Simon; he
it was who would betray the Lord, though he
was one of His disciples.

- John 6.60-71

Reflect
1.  Do disciples of Jesus sometimes get confused or become misguided in their motives for following Him? How? How does this happen? Complete this prayer: Remind me every day, O Lord, of the grace You have shown me in salvation, so that I…

2.  There will always be people who turn away from Jesus for one reason or another. Should we give up on them? Explain. Teach me to love the lost, O Lord, like You love me, and help me to…

3.  Jesus, Spirit, Word, Father, life: In one sentence, use those words to explain the mission of Jesus during the time of His incarnation. I thank You, Lord, that…

4.  Hear, come, believe, understand, feed: In one sentence, use these words to explain what we must do to know the promise of life in Jesus. Let it be true of me, O Lord, that I…

5.  The story of Jesus is a matter of life and death. In what way? How should believing this affect our daily lives?  Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“For we believed in order to know. Had we wanted first to know and then to believe, we could never have been able to believe. What have we believed and known? ‘That you are the Christ the Son of God,’ that is, that you are eternal life and that in your flesh and blood you give what you are yourself.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Today, pay attention to all the ways Jesus unfolds His life within you. Give thanks as often as you become mindful of some blessing of life. Share your gratitude with others. Let the grace of Jesus well up and overflow from within you!

Closing Prayer
Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
AndHis praise in the assembly of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand…

Psalm 149.1-6

Psalm 149 (Toulon: I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Sing to the Lord a glorious song and new!
Praise Him you people, to Whom praise is due!
Let us rejoice, let us be glad in Him
Who has created us and cleansed our sin.
Praise Him with dance, with tambourine and lyre!
To be so praised is God’s one great desire.
Lord, beautify Your holy ones with grace;
Show us the mercy of Your saving face.

Sing to the Lord, exult with great delight!
Sing on your beds with joy to God by night!
Sing praise and take His Word into your hand;
Publish His grace and wrath in every land!

T. M. Moore

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.