Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?62Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?63The Spirit alone egives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)65Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.67Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.69We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
70Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.”71He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
This passage, presents to the disciples, and us, the challenge of letting God be our God and us be his servants. Jesus had just told them something very difficult, if not impossible, to completely understand. Some chose to leave, rather than believe. Others chose to believe though they couldn’t understand.
When we are reading scripture, or praying, or just living through a tough time, we don’t need to always understand everything. Jesus told us to love him like a child. Children do not always know and understand every decision their parents make. They don’t have to, and don’t have the capacity to. We must be willing to faithfully follow Jesus in that same way. And really, it is amazingly awesome. It is such a relief when you decide it is Ok to just accept and believe even if you don’t know and understand.
Lord, give me the humility and faith to rest in you. Help me to search for truth and seek to know you better, but accept those things that are reserved for all eternity. *obbs*
