HELEN SANDERS
6-5-2021
NO TURNING BACK
In John chapter 6 Jesus was teaching on the bread of life. He had been asked in verse 28, “Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” They had seen him feed the multitudes. The disciples had seen him walking on the water. He had done many miracles, and now the question was asked, “what shall we do?”. I believe that wanted more miracles, signs, and wonders to happen. Jesus’ response was probably not what they expected. In verse 29 it says, “Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’”
Immediately they asked Him in verse 30 to show them a sign that they might believe He was the “sent one.” They reminded Jesus of the manna that God had sent from heaven to eat. Jesus reminded them that the manna (bread from heaven) was not from Moses but from the Father. Then He went on to say in verse 35, “…I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger: and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
The Jews murmured at him because he said this, even saying they knew his father Joseph, and his mother Mary. He repeated that he was the bread of life in verses 44-50 then said something they couldn’t comprehend in verse 51. He said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” They didn’t understand it at all. In verse 54 he goes on to say, “Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
That did it. How could they eat his flesh and drink his blood? It was a hard word to receive and they did not understand it, (verse 60) and many that had followed him “…walked no more with him.” (verse 66.) He then asked his disciples if they would leave also. Peter had the best answer when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (verse 68).) He knew who Jesus was. He may not have understood the meaning of eating his flesh and blood, but he also knew Jesus was the only one to follow, and there was no turning back.
Eating the flesh and blood means taking communion. He was pointing to the Passover meal, where he was the lamb to be eaten, and his blood was the shed blood for all mankind to drink. It would come soon, but they didn’t understand it at that time.
As for us, we also make a choice to follow Jesus all the way and not turn back, or to walk away when things seem too difficult to understand. As for me, “I have decided to follow Jesus…No turning back, no turning back.” What about you?
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