“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (John 6:53)
If you had heard about this man who healed men of their ailments, who had spoken the truths of God, who many were following and decided that you would go and hear Him speak also and these were the first words you heard Him speak when you came into His presence, you might think twice on whether it was wise to pay any attention at all to Him.
Nearly every day everyone who follows the Lord Jesus Christ says to themselves, “I do not fully understand, but I will continue to follow.”
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Transformed by the renewing of our minds, born-again, crucified with Him, carrying our cross.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1st Cor. 2:14)
Perhaps you would have thought, “Maybe I missed something here, maybe it was one of those parables I heard others tell me about and I just missed the first part of it, perhaps I should stick around and listen to some more of what He has to say.”
What angels desire to look into, what the prophets waited for, what all who loved the Lord wanted to hold in their hands, the complete and inerrant Word of God is now available to all mankind. The Roman Catholic cult for centuries made their own version of it, deceptive lies, and tried to bury the truth. Rulers of entire nations punish those severely who seek for that truth, laws are being implemented in nations where it is still possible to speak openly of the Living God, but are meant to hinder that which cannot be stopped.
The Word of God is seen as too restrictive to the free will of unrepentant mankind, as a hindrance to their forward progressive movement.
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1st Cor. 11:24)
How often? Once a month? Every week? Every day?
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
So, how often should you read from that Book that in its complete form has only been available for a few hundred years? How often should you contemplate it, how much of it should you hide in your heart? How much more faith do you need before you will follow Him no matter where He leads, no matter the possible consequences to yourself?
“You know, He’s a great guy, a real healer, but now He’s gone off His rocker. Eating flesh and drinking blood? Time for me to go.”
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)
Their answer was from the heart, but in the garden that night they came for Him, the truth was revealed.
Everyone who has been crucified with Christ has been a prodigal son, a lost sheep who wandered away, has seen the path ahead as too difficult, has placed self above the will of God. Everyone of us have faltered on the path.
“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62)
If that is what it takes, that is what He will do, for faith must be tested, or the wheat cannot be separated from the chaff. The Almighty will take you to the point where you cannot bear it any longer, where there is nothing left to you but Him, and in the dark night of the soul, those who are truly saved will take the next step, in faith, and say in the fulness of their heart, “Thy will be done.”
Everyone who has been born-again forsakes Him, more than once in our lives. It is called faith, and it must be exercised, it must be tested to grow.
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb. 5:14)
