Thoughts on the Gospel of John (32) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can understand it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples complained about this, he said to them, Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of man ascend where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
John 6:60-63.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (32)
The Lord's remarkable instruction had a heart-searching, challenging effect on the multitude (v. 36), on the Jewish leaders (vv. 41.42.52) and even on His disciples (vv. 60:61), some of whom were offended. His teaching appeared hard to them. What was so hard to accept?

Some clearly felt that the root of their national, religious pride had been offended. They found it unbearable that Jesus had said, "You have no life in you" (v. 53) unless you eat and drink in the sense implied. Eternal life and resurrection at the last day depended on making Christ wholly one's own Saviour. This opposed the listeners' conviction that they had automatic access to life as God's chosen nation. They clung desperately to this erroneous opinion.

Jesus Christ saw into their hearts and subjected His disciples to an even harder test: if they found it difficult to believe in His incarnation (the bread) and death (the flesh and blood), how much harder would it be for them, if He confronted them with His ascension? The idea that Christ's death was necessary for them to receive life hurt the Jews' pride. That He should also ascend to heaven, they would never understand, for their expectation was limited to Christ's earthly kingdom.

Now these three facts are closely connected. Whoever has been made alive by the Spirit of God, accepts them gratefully.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Esther 3:1-15 · Proverbs 19:8-14