Scripture to Read: John 6:60–71
Jesus, in John 6:52–58, had told the crowd that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.” Jesus set the crowd's hearts on edge to question what He said. But Jesus never leaves any of His followers in the dark but always gives His Light to His Truth. Jesus told them in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” Jesus shared that His words are spirit and life because He is the Holy One of God. The Holy Spirit is the one who imparts life to every believer (Ephesians 1:13–14). Physically eating something can never give eternal life, and Jesus made that point clear to His followers. Then, Jesus told the crowd of followers in John 6:64–65 that He knew who believed and who did not. This is another sign that Jesus is fully God and knows the hearts of mankind. Jesus continually tried to reach those whose hearts were far from Him, proving His everlasting love for them, but He knew many would turn away. Jesus challenged the crowd in John 6:65 by lovingly rebuking their fleshly motivations for following Him. They had not come to Him by the leading of the Spirit, but they wanted to be fed again and they wanted an earthly king (John 6:15). When that didn’t happen, many left (John 6:66). Knowing Him intimately is the key, not just knowing about Him.
Challenge & Application
• What had Jesus said that caused the people to question what He was saying?
• Why did so many leave Him and choose not to walk with Him anymore?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!