Read John 6:60-71
Where Did All My Followers Go?
There were thousands upon thousands of people following Jesus. They continued to pursue him wherever He went.
But when Jesus spoke hard truth about him being the Son of God who gives eternal life, many quit following him. Verse 66 says, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” They couldn’t see that Jesus could benefit them spiritually because they were still focused on their flesh desires.
I often jokingly say, “Do you know how you can get a crowd of people quiet? Ask ‘Who would like to open in prayer?'”
After reading this passage, this question comes to my mind: “Do you know how to find out who the real followers of Jesus are? By preaching the word of God in truth. By not watering it down. Speak of the love of Jesus while preaching repentance from sin. By holding people accountable. That will weed out very quickly those who are committed and those who are not.
I counseled a couple who struggled in their marriage. They both had committed adultery. They both had renewed faith. The woman especially was on fire for Jesus. But when the rubber met the road, she was offended when I stressed how important it was to stop dating guys on the side and sleeping with them. This angered her and she quit following Jesus. In her world of pain, she was still trying to find love in the wrong places. She couldn’t handle the teaching that enhanced her spirit because she was still focused on enhancing her flesh. When you challenge people who are really living for the world, they will be quick to walk away from the Lord because they’re not really trying to find Hope for their spirit and soul.
Let’s respond like Peter did when Jesus asked the 12 disciples: “Do you guys want to quit following me too?” Peter said, “No, you have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” So when Peter said we will continue to follow you, he wasn’t talking about a sloppy commitment. In essence, he was saying, WE’RE ALL IN!
Are you ALL IN or are you still trying to fulfill your flesh like Judas did (mentioned in verse 70 and 71)?
