As the
NIV’s heading for this section of John’s Gospel is “Many Disciples Desert
Jesus”, you could be forgiven for thinking that this reading may discourage the
wobbly Christian (- and don’t we all fall into this category every now and
again?). However, there are two parts to this reading that we would do well to
meditate on when those around us turn their backs on God, or when Jesus’
teaching appears to us to be just too “hard” (v60).
Firstly,
Jesus reminds us that no-one can come to Jesus unless the Father has enabled
them. Without delving too much into the thorny topic of predestination, the
Gospel tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that prepares the hearts of those
who turn in faith to Jesus. We are justified by faith, but this faith is the
result of what God has done in us. Our faith and our turning to Jesus then is
not something that we are ultimately in control of. God Himself is the one who
chooses us; without His help, we would not be able to recognise Jesus as the
One to be followed in the first place. And who better to reveal the Son to us
than the Father?
Secondly,
I love the matter-of-fact way that Simon Peter answers Jesus when he asks
whether any of the Twelve want to desert him. I imagine him perhaps to be
slightly exasperated with the deserting disciples, for although Simon Peter
recognises that Jesus’ teaching does not make for comfortable listening, he
recognises Jesus’ unique authority to speak the words of eternal life. So, as
he plainly states, to whom else shall they go? This is the same rhetorical
question that we need to use to check ourselves if we feel tempted to stop
listening to Jesus in our lives. When the world around us wants to tell us how
hard we are making life for ourselves by taking up our cross and following
Jesus, we need to remember that any others’ claims to know the secret for
living a longer or better life are just hollow promises, because they are not
from God.
This
Lent, may we be encouraged that Jesus’ words are “full of the Spirit and of
life” (v63), and keep listening to Him who has chosen us for Himself.
Que nous soyons encouragés ce Carême que les paroles
de Jésus sont « Esprit et vie » (v.63) et continuons d’écouter celui
que nous a choisi.
Laura Bispham
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