This had to be tough teaching. The disciples really thought that following Jesus would mean that soon the Roman occupying army would be overthrown, Jesus would b eking, and they would all be in His cabinet. Yet down He is talking about eating His body and drinking His blood? This was really hard for them to swallow (pun intended). What could He be talking about? Did they have to be cannibals to follow Christ?
Jesus made it clear that He was speaking spiritually – “The words I speak are spirit and they are truth.” Still, this could not be a pleasant experience He was talking about. It wasn’t going to all that it was cracked up to me. They would have to partake of His suffering if they were going to follow Him.
So what happened next? Many turned back and followed Him no more. They couldn’t handle the pressure of partaking in the suffering.
It is easy for us to be critical of these disciples for turning back. Yet, we have to ask ourselves what we do when the going gets tough? It is wonderful to follow Christ when things are going well and are exciting. It’s not so easy when things get tough and suffering is involved. Like the disciples we too have a choice. We can turn back, or we can determine in His strength to continue following Him.
How sad it is when His followers turn back after all He does. Keep me Father from ever turning back.
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