(John 6: 56-69)
I didn’t do any fishing growing up as a kid. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized fishing was a life lesson in dating. You see, dating is a lot like fishing in that you have “catch-and-release,” and you also have “keepers.” Apparently, I fell into the “catch-and-release” category as I got thrown back into the pond often, quite often. It wasn’t until I swam in a bigger pond that I got reeled in by a girl who considered me a keeper and didn’t throw me back. This fisherwoman was willing to keep me if we could commit to one another. And we quickly made the big commitment. So far, so good. But I don’t get too close to the water’s edge.
And, as a fisher of men Jesus is looking for followers, keepers who will be disciples for the transformation of the world, who are not afraid to make a commitment to him no matter how tough the going gets or what he asks of them. In our scripture reading for today we pick up where we left off last Sunday where Jesus said: 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. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever. It’s important to remember that when Jesus said these things he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum before several different groups of people. Within this crowd you had the curious who wanted to see this Jesus they had heard so much about, you had those who were searching for something more in their lives and his message resonated with them, you had the Pharisees and teachers of the law who felt threatened by his teachings and the perceived threat to their status quo, and you had Jesus’s disciples, his followers. We know from previous sermons what the Pharisees and teachers of the law thought about his teachings as they grumbled amongst themselves and tried to discredit Jesus’ teachings as heresy and blasphemy. But now we learn that when many of his disciples heard it, they said: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”
That is an interesting question. The teaching is difficult as it calls the hearer to step outside of their comfort zone which is hard for so many people to accept, and accepting this teaching requires a commitment, a commitment that could cost you something on down the road you may not be willing to give up. So, why did Jesus’ words cause many of his followers to desert him? Well, maybe some realized that he wasn’t going to be the conquering Messiah-King in the fashion of King David they expected who would restore order and vanquish their hated Roman occupiers. Maybe he refused to give in to some of their self-centered requests where they pledged their support in return for something for themselves, some power, position, or prestige. Maybe it was his emphasis on faith and not deeds where you could just do a few good things or make a generous contribution to some charity rather than roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Or, just maybe, his teachings were difficult to understand and in some of his stories and parables you felt like you were being put on the spot, made to feel uncomfortable and maybe just a little bit guilty. Jesus was aware that some of his followers, his disciples, were complaining about some of the things he has said. He heard the comments and questions, and could see it in their eyes, the fear of commitment to what he was asking of them, to take up their cross and follow him. So, he says to them in front of everyone: Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe. It wasn’t that they felt their status quo was being challenged like the Jewish religious leaders and experts in the law of Moses, as they had a status quo they wanted changed for the better, and it couldn’t come too soon. But they didn’t sign up for this, the debates with those in power, being followed by large crowds of people expecting the impossible from them, working with the down-and-outs, and no assurances that there was anything in it for them. It wasn’t what they expected. Jesus was actually expecting them to get involved. He wanted them to have some skin in the game and they weren’t ready to play.
John tells us that Jesus knew from the beginning of his ministry who were the ones among the disciples and followers that did not believe, and who was the one that would one day betray him. So Jesus says: For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father. Jesus is telling them, and us, that it is God’s Holy Spirit that gives the spiritual life we are seeking. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot even see our own need for a new life. We’re just blindly going through the motions chasing that which moth and rust destroy. All spiritual renewal begins and ends with God who reveals His truth to us, lives within us, and then enables us to respond to that truth through a life of selfless service.
John continues by telling us that because of this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. Seeing this, Jesus asked the twelve: Do you also wish to go away? Peter, speaking up for himself and the others responded: 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. Jesus is not caught off-guard by this defection as he knows all-to-well that there will be those who are just not ready to make that commitment, and there may be some who will never be ready. And though the departing disciples do misunderstand Jesus’ words, the problem is not simply a lack of comprehension. It’s a lack of commitment and a refusal to accept Jesus for who he is. This passage serves as a warning to us, the reader, that Jesus does not intentionally lose any of those given to him by God, but there are those who will abandon him. Jesus has continually had disciples turn away and choose to no longer walk with him, even to this day. Many people today turn away from Christ when it interferes with their plans. Others pretend to follow, going to church for the status, approval of family and friends, or business contacts, what they can get out of it for themselves. But there are only two real responses as far as Jesus is concerned. You either accept him or you reject him.
There is no middle ground with Jesus. When he asked the disciples if they would also leave, he was showing them that they could either accept or reject him. He was not trying to push people away with his teachings. He was simply telling the truth which can be hard for those who are not ready to hear it. The more the people heard Jesus’ real message, the more they divided into two camps; the honest seekers who wanted to understand more, and those who rejected Jesus because they didn’t like what they were hearing. Think about that for a minute. If we are really committed to Jesus Christ, how hard can it be to hear and accept the truth? We should be dropping everything we have, stop whatever we are doing, and run with open arms to the truth, embracing it with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength.
As we grow in our faith, we may be tempted to turn away because Jesus’ lessons are difficult and demand a commitment. When that happens, will your response be to give up, ignore the teachings, and reject Christ? Or will you instead, show your resolve, your commitment to being a disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and ask God to show you what the teachings mean and how you can apply them to your life and the lives of others? If so, then have the courage to overcome your fear of commitment and act upon the truth as brought to you by the Holy One of God.
Let us pray.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. Gracious and forgiving Father, how grateful we are for the work of the Holy Spirit who makes our spiritual life in you possible with the works it performs in us. Renew our spiritual lives, reveal your truth to us, live within us, and remove from us the fear of commitment that prevents us from responding to your truth. In Jesus’ name, the one who has the words of eternal life, we pray, Amen.