Turning Point

While teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus proclaimed himself to be the bread of life that comes down out from heaven and that it was only those drawn by the Father who would eat this bread, this bread that was his flesh.  His teaching got real to his disciples, that he was laying claim to deity, that he was the Source of life, that embracing him was all consuming - an all or nothing proposition (cf. Jn 6:25ff).

On hearing his words, his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching, who can accept it?" (v. 60).  Some could not or would not and, "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (v. 66).  As a side note, I find it interesting that this place in Scripture of disciples turning away from Jesus, John is 6:66 is the same as the mark of the Beast that John reveals in Revelation 13:18.

Getting back to the point, when this turning point was reached by the disciples, Jesus asked the Twelve if they too were turning back, to which Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (v. 68).  At this turning point, some turned away, others tuned in realizing that there was no other way, there was no other option, that Jesus alone was "the holy One of God" (v. 69).

At some point, Jesus' claim on your life will get real, it will blow past all the religious ritual and jargon and list of things to do or not do.  At some point, Jesus' claim will be seen in it's totality, which is total and complete.  His claim on your life is not something you can wear on Sunday or practice at particular times throughout the week.  His claim in on your whole life.  He is not a way, or an assist in our effort to find our way home, Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father except through [him]" (14:6).

At some point, we come to realize that following Jesus is not something that we do, it is the thing that we do.  Everything else has to be brought into alignment with that walk or left behind entirely.  Unless, we were to decide that following Jesus is more than we bargained for.  In that case, these words of Jesus become our turning point: "...those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Lk 14:33).

Perhaps you've already reached that point and you have decided to follow Jesus no matter what.  Praise God!  Perhaps you've decided to strike out on your own (I hope you will reconsider because, on your own, you will strike out).  Perhaps you are not quite there or are just reaching that point.  If so, I implore you to listen to Peter's words again, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of life."  Jus' Say'n.