Truth is truth regardless of how hard or offensive we may think it is. Our culture has programmed the masses to believe that truth is only truth if we like or agree. Those of this mindset Jesus confronted. After feeding 5,000 people, the number of followers Jesus had multiplied. They were entertained by the miracles and satisfied by what Jesus provided them. But as soon as Jesus told them the hard truth about what they really wanted and what was really necessary to follow him, they were offended.
John 6:60-64 60 Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus let them know that they would find the life they were seeking if they believed the truth. Without it, all of their efforts would profit them nothing. The hard truth was that they would need to change their minds. They would have to let go of their preconceived ideas. They would need to relinquish the control they clung to. The culture to reject truth was so pervasive that Jesus turned to the twelve and asked if they would leave Him too. Would they be like those who were hard-hearted and only see from a carnal natural perspective? A perspective that only wanted to satisfy their flesh. Or would they be those who lived after the Spirit? Those who would live for eternity and not just the here and now.
Those who love truth respond like Peter. John 6:68-69 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
What was the game-changer? How did Peter jump from the dull of hearing to the rock the church was built on? The answer is in verse 69. He knew Jesus. He continued with Him, followed Him, sought Him, and came to believe. It’s ok if you’re in the process of knowing Him. Stay the course and seek the absolute truth. Not the false truth that makes you feel good or that you and everyone else agrees with. Be a seeker of real truth, the hard truth, that you must eat Jesus’ body and drink His blood. That your life is not your own and that you are called for a purpose greater than yourself.
That group is much smaller. But that’s the group that can stand through any storm. Those are the ones who see the miraculous take place. That group of people carry boldness and are not timid or fearful but full of faith and power. This band of believers will get out of the boat and walk on water, and this group of people will shake the world for God’s glory. They will make an impact. They are those who love and proclaim truth!
I challenge you today. Take a hard look at what you accept or criticize about the Word of God. Jesus said in Mark 8:34-38 34, When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
The choice remains yours. Choose wisely.
Jaime Luce
