John 6:60-71 (ESV)

⁶⁰ When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” ⁶¹ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? ⁶² Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) ⁶⁵ And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” ⁶⁶ After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. ⁶⁷ So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” ⁷⁰ Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” ⁷¹ He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.

Jesus’ teachings were hard. They were so hard that not only the hostile audience, but many who said they believed began to grumble. This wasn’t what they were looking for. What Jesus taught was difficult to understand, and it seemed harsh too. Jesus asked his disciples whether they took offense at what he said. They were upset, but certainly not because Jesus didn’t communicate with gentleness and respect. He asked them, “What if you should see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” For some, this was only the beginning of what would offend them, and for others these things would prove true when Jesus was vindicated. Jesus added that it is the Spirit who gives life. Our flesh profits nothing. Those who were not stumbled by the teaching of Jesus were actually enlightened by the Spirit. We simply can’t embrace the teaching of Jesus without the work of the Spirit. Jesus again said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” Humbling as it may be, according to Jesus, the ability to truly trust in him is an act of God. No one can work up saving faith by herself. It is impossible. So that was the end of the line for many. They were just done with Jesus.

What about you? Would you be offended by this teaching? Many of God’s truths are difficult. As Jesus watched people walk off, he turned to his twelve disciples and asked them, “Will you leave too?” Who knows whether an awkward silence followed or the twelve looked down in embarrassment. Peter asked, “Where else can we go?” What other religious teaching will satisfy our soul? For the Christian, there is nowhere else to go. We have been changed from the inside out and made brand new by the Holy Spirit. Even if we battle with the hard teachings of Jesus, we can’t leave him. Are you struggling with obedience to a challenging teaching of Jesus today? If so, be encouraged. Though things may seem hard, if you are his follower, he will give you what you need to do what he asks. His Spirit has rewired you, and his Spirit will be right there with you as you journey through even hard days and difficult nights to come.