Following Hard After Jesus?

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When a little voice asked from behind, should I kill it? I’m glad he waited until I answered, “what is it”? Bringing them up in the country had its moments! Some more memorable than others 😅.

Carefully crafted questions can influence us in ways that mere statements don’t. When Jesus asked this question in v. 67, each self-professed “follower of Jesus” was forced to wrestle – deeply.

I’ve had these moments, maybe you have also. We proclaim how serious we are about our faith or commitment to Christ, then a crisis hits, a hard thing happens, God is silent and it’s getting scary.

Or Jesus speaks in a way that leaves your peers asking, who does He think He is or what am I supposed to do with what the Word of God just said?

And they’re walking away because of it.

God’s response? John 6:61. Jesus had just said some things that really challenged the deeply held religious beliefs and understanding of a large group of people who claimed to believe God.

But following Jesus isn’t as easy (John 14:1). He asks hard things. He challenges our deeply held religious beliefs. And He gets past our “spiritual defenses” with carefully crafted questions.

God’s word can be offensive, hard to understand, and intimidating! God asks you to change, conform, repent, yield, sacrifice, obey, surrender… believe Jesus at His word.

And follow hard after Him.

But He doesn’t just ask. He expects. He commands. He’s unyielding. Unapologetic about who He is (Heb. 11:6). Does He ask too much?

If you ask the crowd most would say, yes (John 6:62-66).

But He’s not asking the crowd, He’s asking you and me v. 67.

You’ve seen it, there’s some new trend in Christianity, a wave of professions of faith, some church initiative… and everyone’s excited. Until it gets hard, demanding, or unpopular yet true.

Pretty soon, others stop showing up. Those once committed are now complaining or complacent.

And Jesus asks, will you also go away? Before you answer, wrestle – deeply. What will it take to get you to walk away, to quit, to leave it to others, or go elsewhere to worship God comfortably?

It’s a fair question on a fair-weather day. Jesus saw the backs of many of his admirers when his words became too difficult. Many good church and ministry leaders experience this as well.

Christ’s response to their rejection showed his absolute confidence in his own identity and mission. But it also caused a faithful few to say the words you know so well (v. 68-69).

Maybe you claim to follow God. But what about following hard after Jesus?

It’s been said that it’s not the part of God’s word that I don’t understand that bothers me; what bothers me is the part I do understand. How does that sit with you?

This simple song says it all because here’s an answer we all must give. (I’m not endorsing the organization at the end, but the song and narration are powerful).

I’ve put a different version of the song with written lyrics and some probing questions in the GO DEEPER section. As always, reply to this email and let me know your thoughts. 

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