| | Words of LifeJohn 6:60-71
In this deep passage Christ sifts his followers, weeding out those who
are not capable of going with him. He tells us plainly: no
one can come to Him unless the Father draws him.
Some of these were drawn by the show. Miracles, after all, make a
good story to tell your grandchildren. Some of us today are drawn
by the show, also. The music is lively, the preacher's words
alive—we walk out saying, "Good sermon." Unless the good sermon
affects our lives, we are not drawn by the Father but by the show.
Some were drawn by the crowd. Many of us follow the crowd to the
fashionable church. After all, we might need a place for a
wedding or a funeral some day, and how much better that it should be an
elegant building, full of fine musicians and excellent speakers.
Some were drawn by what they saw as an opportunity to succeed in
life. Like Simon the sorcerer, they saw the Gospel as a chance to
make money. A place to make all the right contacts for the
business, and—after all—it never hurts to have the reputation of being
an honest Christian businessman.
All these are sifted out by the hard words of the Gospel, for they were
not drawn by the Father. Note those who remain, however.
Jesus, seeing the many depart, queries those who stay. They give
us the clue we need to see who is really drawn by the Father.
"To whom shall we go?" they ask. "You have the words of eternal
life." There it is. Those who were sifted out had their
sights set too low—the show, the crowd, the opportunity. These
men had their sights set on God himself, and they understood the price
of that quest. It does not matter if it costs you everything you
have, including your physical life—if you gain eternal life.
There is only one source for that life. Peter knows it, and puts
it in the form of a question: "to whom shall we go?" The
question answers itself: there is no one else. It's better
to take the hard, slow road to the right place than the easy road to
anywhere else.
Jesus, with the foreknowledge of God, knew who was who—but still
suffered at their departure. It was their choice. We have
the same choice today. Do not let the show, the crowd, or the
opportunity blind you to the call of Christ. Allow the Father to
draw you to the living Christ, the source of eternal life. The
way may be hard—but there is no other.
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| | Posted 5/1/2006 2:41 PM - 2 comments
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