John - Week 19

Tough Teaching 

READ 

John 6:55-59 

55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” 

59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 

The last verse in this passage reveals Jesus was talking to Jewish people who would have known about the restrictions of eating flesh and blood. Yet, Jesus reminds them that assimilating His flesh and blood will give one eternal life. He is the “true bread that came down from heaven.” He gave His body on the cross and shed His blood for lost humanity. Those who believe in His death and resurrection may die physically but never spiritually. 

REFLECT 

Think about the agony Jesus suffered on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. By believing in Him as your Savior you partake of His body and shed blood.  

RESPOND 

As you witness to others, if you find this teaching confuses them, focus only on their need to place complete trust in Christ for their salvation. Only He has paid for their sin.  

 Hard to Understand 

READ 

John 6:60-63 

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 

This is an example of what Jesus did when His listeners did not understand the significance of what He was saying about His flesh and blood. He focused on what He would eventually do and of the Holy Spirit giving eternal life to whomever believes. And again He stressed that human effort was worthless in helping a person to get right with God. 

REFLECT 

Think of ways you can pivot in your conversation with others when you detect they are not understanding a point you have just made. One is not saved because He understands everything but because He has trusted in the Lord Jesus for salvation. 

RESPOND 

Jesus said His “very words . . . are spirit and life.” You find His words recorded in the four Gospels. In your study of other Scriptures, make sure you are often in the four Gospels learning about His very words. 

Turning Away 

READ 

John 6:64-66 

64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 

Jesus realized there were unbelievers in the crowd. His following statement shows He thought the heavenly Father had not yet been drawn them to Him. This was all some of them could take so they left Him. Some think the word “disciples” in verse 66 refers to believers. The verb form for the word “disciple,” however, means “learner.” A disciple is a learner and these were following Jesus to learn about Him. Having learned all they wanted to know, they now turned away from Him. The context indicates these people were only learners, they were not believers. 

REFLECT 

Think of what it was like for Jesus to look at a crowd and know some were not believers. The same can be true about the way He looks at local church groups today.  

RESPOND 

Realize that only the heavenly Father can draw others to the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers cannot convert anyone; they can only witness about Jesus. Conversion is the ministry of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 3:6, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” Are you faithful in doing your witnessing part? 

To Whom Would We Go 

READ 

John 6:67-69 

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” 

The above shows what Jesus asked the Twelve after so many of the others had left Him. The original language of the New Testament reveals He was actually asking them if they wanted to leave. It would be one thing to leave; quite another just to want to leave. Peter speaks for the group in acknowledging there was no one else to turn to. They were convinced and believed that only the Lord Jesus Christ was “the Holy One of God.” 

REFLECT 

No matter how many things you do not understand in the Bible, are you persuaded that Jesus is your only hope for forgiveness of sins and eternal life? Believing in Him changes your eternal destiny from hell to heaven. 

RESPOND 

Realizing what Jesus has done for you because you have trusted Him as your Savior, faithfully tell others your story and pray that God will open their hearts to hear and heed your words. Whom would you like to tell first? 

Devil in the Midst 

READ 

John 6:70-71 

70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him. 

The chapter ends on this sad note. Perhaps it was the way Jesus corrected Peter’s statement. Speaking for the group, Peter said, “We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God” (v. 69). Jesus now says one of them is a betrayer so not all of them were in agreement with Peter’s statement. Jesus did not tell the others at this time that Judas was the betrayer. The writer, John, did not know it at the time but learned it later. 

REFLECT 

Have you been guilty of sometimes speaking out by saying something like, “All of us in this group are believers in Christ”? What do you think Jesus would comment about your statement? 

RESPOND 

Read Matthew 26 that records the events of the Last Supper. The other disciples had no idea Judas was the betrayer who had lived among them for three tears. Search the other Gospel writers for their account of the Last Supper.