1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 6:60-70
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
3) Devotional: Jesus has just finished a controversial teaching which is costing him followers. In fact, some scholars believe that in the time period before John 6, Jesus had thousands of followers, whereas after John 6, this number dwindled to a few hundred. The contents of John 6 and Jesus’ teaching are subject to a variety of interpretations, but regardless, the root is this: the cost of following Jesus just went up. It must have been exciting to be part of the crowd: to witness miracles, to hear a dynamic teacher, one whom some thought had come to save the Jewish people from Roman rule. In fact, thousands of people had just gotten a free lunch when Jesus fed the multitude in the earlier part of John 6. Following Jesus is easy, even fashionable, when there are free meals, excitement, and benefits to be had. But when Jesus raises the stakes, the feelings tend to change.
And this is where we find ourselves in the story: Many people in the world are comfortable with the Jesus who brings blessings and benefits: the piggybank Jesus, the Santa Claus Jesus, the self-help Jesus, the therapist Jesus, the benign teacher who comes to make us feel good about ourselves and give us stuff. When we are confronted with the Jesus who asks us to leave everything and follow him, to take up our cross, to come and die, that’s when the followers begin to dwindle. But it is only in doing these things- in laying down the trophies and struggles of this world that we discover true existence, unstoppable hope, real freedom, and life worth living.
4) Questions to Consider: Which Jesus are you following today? Is your Jesus the Real Jesus?
5) Prayer: Jesus, help me hold true and steadfast to you and your promises in faith, even when the road becomes dark and difficult, so that I may, in laying down my all, find life that is true, and hope that can never be taken away. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
