Responding to John 6:65!

First we must put this controversial passage in context:

John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever. 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60 ”Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Jesus has been followed by many, they are even referred to as disciples, but the majority turn away and follow no more, once the teaching goes beyond their natural ability to understand or accept it. Yet, Peter and the rest of the twelve stay. Why do they stay and others leave? Are they smarter, humbler, better or maybe worse in some way?

Well, we and they would probably think so, but Jesus makes it clear in vs. 65 that "no one can come" to Him unless granted by the Father, and if that weren't shocking enough, He destroys any chance of pride in those who remain by simply saying in vs. 70 "did I not choose you"! Of course He has already set the stage for this teaching in vs. 63 by declaring "it is the Spirit that gives life".

This is controversial because we wonder why He chose us and not others? Peter might well have wondered why he was chosen and others were left unchanged by the Spirit.

So how do we respond to the fact that if we believe upon Jesus for salvation, it is not because of anything we did, but rather because the Father granted it, Jesus called us and the Spirit has given us life?

I would suggest responding with -

Thank you!  

God's offensive mercy?

I saw this video posted on Wretchedradio, the speaker does a great job of helping us understand God's wrath and love!

Piper on God's absolute sovereignty, and the hope it brings!

Wow, this is a good presentation of God's sovereignty and application of it to our lives as believers -



John Piper on the purpose of money

This is a quote from a John Piper video clip I saw on Truth Matters labeled "Wartime Lifestyle".

Speaking about the purpose of money in the believer's life he says:

Money is given to us to use in such a way as to show the world that money is not our treasure, but Christ is our treasure".

Powerful and challenging thought!

Freedom of speech, except for...

The article linked here suggests people who say offensive things against Islam/Muslims may need to be prosecuted. As an example the story references:

"a local Tennessee politician posted a photo of a man aiming a shotgun at the camera with the caption "How to wink at a Muslim." "If a Muslim had posted ‘How to Wink at a Christian,’ could you imagine what would have happened?"

OK - reality check, Christians are constantly threatened and killed by Muslims around the world and there is very little outcry about it from the press or our government.

Also, many Muslim groups make no secret of their intent to destroy America by any means necessary, because they see it as an evil  "Christian" country. They are not making an offensive joke, like the above cartoon labeled "hate speech", they are making a real threat to do harm.

Finally, it is ironic that television shows, media of all kinds and even government officials have no problem criticizing Christians in all manner of ways, but Christians tend to take it because it is part of the free speech guaranteed by our constitution. So in reality, this is all about Islam and special protection for them, not protecting everyone from hate speech.