How can we better understand Jesus' teachings when they seem "hard" to accept? Setting the Scene John 6:60: “On hearing it, many of His disciples said, ‘This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?’” Jesus had just spoken of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53-54). The crowd’s struggle was real, yet His words remained true. Recognizing the Tension • Sincere followers can find certain statements unsettling. • Difficulty exposes the distance between human reasoning and divine revelation (Isaiah 55:8-9). • A hard saying becomes a fork in the road: walk away (John 6:66) or press in (John 6:68-69). Anchoring in the Word’s Reliability • “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every line is accurate and without error. • The literal record secures confidence that we are grappling with Jesus’ exact words. • With inerrancy settled, the question shifts from “Is this true?” to “How do I receive what is true?” Looking to the Teacher Himself • Jesus is “the Holy One of God” (John 6:69); His nature guarantees the goodness of His commands. • He speaks “spirit and life” (John 6:63), never confusion or harm. • His call to eat His flesh prefigures the Cross: substitutionary sacrifice, not physical consumption. Relying on the Spirit • “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (John 6:63). • Understanding unfolds as the Spirit illuminates the text (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Practical steps: – Ask the Spirit for light before and during study. – Compare Scripture with Scripture; He never contradicts Himself. – Slow down, allowing quiet moments for insight. Submitting Mind and Heart • Trust precedes comprehension: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5-6). • A yielded attitude affirms, “Lord, You are right even before I grasp the fullness of Your meaning.” • Obedience opens further clarity (John 7:17). Feeding on Christ Daily • The imagery of eating signals ongoing dependence. Ways to “eat”: – Consistent, thoughtful reading of the Gospels. – Memorizing and meditating on key passages (e.g., John 15:1-7). – Participating reverently in the Lord’s Supper, focusing on His body and blood. Staying with the Body • Those who departed in John 6 isolated themselves; those who remained gained clarity together. • God supplies pastors and teachers for edification (Ephesians 4:11-13). • Mature believers help untangle hard passages without watering them down. Walking It Out • Deeper understanding blossoms through obedience; the disciples grasped Jesus’ words more fully after the Resurrection. • Live out the revealed portion today; fuller insight follows faithful practice (James 1:22-25). • What once seemed hard becomes nourishing truth—just as bread strengthens only when eaten. |
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