Abiding in Jesus
Posted on Aug 20, 2024 by Shari Van Baale
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches while in the synagogue at Capernaum that “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.” (John 6:56-57)
According to WorkingPreacher, “Although the crowd was initially enthusiastic about the idea of Jesus as one like Moses who could provide this miraculous bread (John 6:34), they reject the identification of Jesus with manna. In verse 60, Jesus’ own disciples declare his teaching to be ‘hard,’ and in verse 66 many of them turn away from him.”
Many were offended by this, not quite understanding and returning to their old lives. Many of the disciples said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:60)
Jesus knows this is offensive, yet he addresses it head on. Back then, there was no such thing as the Lord’s Supper. They probably had no choice but to take his words as literally eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
According to WorkingPreacher, “The difficulty in John 6 is not simply the cognitive content of believing something about Jesus, but also the lack of trust that the disciples display. Like the Israelites, they have experienced God’s miraculous provision, but they do not trust that God will continue to provide for them in the wilderness.”
Jesus asked the 12 disciples if they also chose to leave, and Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)
Jesus tells the disciples to abide in him even when they didn’t understand. That means staying with him through the difficult, confusing times.
According to WorkingPreacher, “Feeding on Jesus as manna means remaining or abiding with Jesus … 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.”
Sometimes it is hard to stay with God through the tough times. We might not understand why difficult things happen. We need to be reassured in the knowledge that God will see us through in the end, as He knows the outcome. Just like with the disciples, all will be revealed. Though Jesus’ words may have been confusing and even offensive at first, those who stuck by him were rewarded eternally.
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator