Matt Richards
John 6:64-68 But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this." (Jesus knew from the start that some weren't going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, "This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father." After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: "Do you also want to leave?" Peter replied, "Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God."
People are fickle and here there were many rejoicing with Jesus after He did a miracle, but soon they left Him when the going got tough and it became challenging. Many people resisting, refusing to commit. Many people are spectators who want to hang around Jesus and the miraculous. The feeding of the five thousand was popular; but they didn't want to risk themselves in being part of Jesus crew; being all in. Interestingly Jesus never coerced or pressured them as they left to go back to their old associations and lives. He didn't even go after them. In fact He turned to the remainers and said, "Do you want to leave also?" You know this Christian walk, this Jesus thing is an all or nothing thing. It works when you throw yourself totally into it. Many people start strong and promising, but finish poor. There will always come a point in this Christian journey where you, someone else or even the Holy Spirit will say to you, "do you want to leave also?" I love Peter's answer, "where else can we go?" You know you can so sold out for Jesus that you've burnt all your bridges. You don't have a plan b. Don't have anywhere else to go. Revival or riots. It's Jesus or death. 'Jesus isn't just a crutch for me, He's my life support." You can be so committed to Jesus that you're ruined for normal life. Ruined for your old life that is. Ruined for the club, ruined for living in sin, ruined for drugs; you're even ruined for shallow Christianity. Is this you? If so, nothing else will satisfy but Jesus. When you see others leaving, the question is:
So do you want to leave also? Or are you all in? It's really as simple as that. Prayer:
Father I want to follow Jesus. Forgive me for being resistant, refusing to take part. I choose today to be all in . Help me Holy Spirit to not go back but follow Jesus this week and forever in Jesus' name Amen.
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