How does John 6:61 challenge us to trust Jesus despite difficult teachings? Setting the Scene • John 6 records Jesus feeding the five thousand, walking on water, and then teaching that He is “the bread of life.” • Many listeners loved the miracles but stumbled when Jesus spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53–56). • Verse 61 captures the turning point: “Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, ‘Does this offend you?’” (John 6:61). The Stumbling Point • “Offend” (Greek: skandalízō) means to cause someone to trip or to place an obstacle in the way. • Jesus leaves no room for softening His words. He confronts their discomfort head-on. • The issue is not Jesus’ clarity but the crowd’s willingness to accept truth that clashes with their expectations. Why Difficult Teachings Matter • They expose whether we follow Jesus for convenience or conviction. • They separate surface enthusiasm from genuine faith (cf. John 2:23-25). • They deepen our understanding of who Jesus truly is—Lord, not merely miracle-worker. • They drive us to dependence: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Trusting the Teacher • Jesus knows our struggles (Hebrews 4:15) and still calls us to obedience. • His words are life-giving even when they are hard: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). • Peter’s response models surrender: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). • Trust rests on His character—unchanging, truthful, sovereign (Numbers 23:19; Revelation 19:11). Practical Steps for Today 1. Submit your mind to Scripture before seeking explanations elsewhere (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Pray for understanding yet commit to obey what you already know (James 1:22). 3. Remember past faithfulness: if He fed the multitude, He can also feed your faith (Psalm 77:11-12). 4. Anchor in community that encourages faith, not grumbling (Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Rehearse God’s sovereignty when teachings collide with culture (Isaiah 55:8-9). Encouragement from the Word • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...” • John 11:25—“I am the resurrection and the life…” • Romans 11:33—“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Takeaway John 6:61 challenges us to exchange offense for trust. When Jesus’ words confront our assumptions, we either walk away or walk deeper with Him. Choosing trust means believing that every hard saying is ultimately for our good and His glory. |
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