The Disciples Are Grumbling

To an extent, can you blame them?

In a moment of honesty, one might say that the gospels occasionally feel determinative—perhaps preordained in some sense, even towards challenging outcomes. John especially leans into this with his portrayal of Judas and, in today’s passage, Jesus’ foreknowledge of who his true disciples are. It can feel as though they are foreknown and even predetermined.

Yet, as we read, we see that the invitation to follow Jesus remains open, and the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility invites us to wrestle with what it means to choose him daily. (Don’t forget that the Jesus who John’s gospel presents to us is also highly relational.)

It is true that the heart of the teachings of John 6 are hard to accept, or at least to understand fully.

Many people today wrestle with faith because many of its presumed drawn out implications do not make sense to them. A significant number of people especially conclude that faith isn’t worth it because the actions of so many who profess it do not match up with its foundation — Jesus himself.

I have significant empathy for people who make such decisions. When I’m honest, I remember that I, too, have these moments. And such doubts can actually be food for a much deeper and sincere faith.

It might be a surprise, but this is the first time we hear from Peter in John’s gospel (we’re almost a third through, six long chapters!). And for many, Peter’s words are the way forward.

Jesus…where else would we go? You have the words of life.

In the end, despite significant heartache and cognitive dissonance — all the inconsistencies of hypocrisy and unfulfilled expressions of actionable faith — the person and example of Jesus is so striking, we long to see it at work in and through our own lives.

And so we press on.

John 6:61-70

Jesus knew that the disciples were grumbling about this and he said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you were to see the Human One going up where he was before? The Spirit is the one who gives life and the flesh doesn’t help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Yet some of you don’t believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning who wouldn’t believe and the one who would betray him. He said, “For this reason I said to you that none can come to me unless the Father enables them to do so.” At this, many of his disciples turned away and no longer accompanied him.

Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are God’s holy one.”

Jesus replied, “Didn’t I choose you twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.”

Psalm 73:25-26

Do I have anyone else in heaven? There’s nothing on earth I desire except you. My body and my heart fail, but God is my heart’s rock and my share forever.

Prayer

God,

Sometimes your words are hard to accept—difficult to understand, and even more difficult to live out. I confess that I don’t always know what to do with the tension between faith and doubt, between what I understand and what feels beyond me. Even more so, I really struggle with people who profess your name, but abuse power. But you invite me to wrestle with these things in your presence, and for that, I am grateful.

Help me to trust that your words are life, even when they challenge me or call me out of comfort. Strengthen my resolve to follow you, not because I have all the answers, but because you are the answer. Keep my eyes looking forward, and my feet moving ahead, even as I consider those who are beside me.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.