SHIFT WEEK III SATURDAY

SATURDAY

John 6:60-69

“After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

I remember reading a story 20 years ago about a lodge half-way up a popular climbing mountain. The author described the lodge as a warm, inviting place with good food, a fireplace, comfortable chairs and big picture windows. It was positioned just about half-way up the mountain so that climbers could stop there and rest awhile before finishing their difficult journey the rest of the way up the mountain. But the author described it as the saddest place in the entire world.

According to the story, there were always a few people who gave up the climb at the half-way house. They were tired. It was cold. They had had enough. So they decided to stay at the warm lodge. They would wave as their fellow climbers made their way off toward the mountain peak.

But slowly sadness began to set in. Those remaining in the lodge began to question their decision. They imagined the beautiful view from the top of the mountain, the view they would never see. And then as the climbers began to return to the lodge and describe the wonders of what they say, a full scale depression always set in on those who chose not to go on. Half-way is the saddest place in the entire world.

“After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

His ministry began with the calling of the disciples. One by one Jesus approached these strangers and said simply, "Follow me" and they did. They dropped their fishing nets, left their boats and followed him. Or in Matthew's case, he dropped his tax books, and went after Jesus. In no time at all, Jesus had twelve devoted disciples following him everywhere.

The crowds were simply stunned when he healed the blind, the lame and the mute. He even cast out demons successfully. Never was there a demon that refused to obey him.

When Jesus spoke, everyone knew he was different. They said, "He speaks with authority, not like the scribes and Pharisees." The crowds thronged to him to hear his homey stories he called parables. They left talking about the meaning of the stories, and months later they could still remember them.

Children loved Jesus as well. Remember that scene when the Disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to him. He said, "Let the children come, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."

It all as one success after another so who wouldn't want to follow Jesus?

But there were hints along the way that all was not well. We just ignore them. From our post-Resurrection perspective, we can even view the cross as a positive. At the time, it was the worst of the possible outcomes.

"After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."


Not everyone approved of Jesus' ministry. Of course, the scribes and Pharisees did not. Jesus was first and foremost a Jewish man. It was quite telling and disheartening that the people of his own religion fought him all the way to the cross.

We can imagine the plight of the Disciples that day. They had sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. They left their nets and tax books. They left their families and livelihoods to learn from this itinerant preacher. They followed him because they all believed that he "had the words of eternal life." And over time they "came to believe and know that (Jesus) was the Holy One of God."

And today, Jesus’ question comes to us, "Do you also wish to go away?"

We are following Jesus up the mountain of faith. We come to the lodge at the half-way point. It is a warm, inviting place with good food, a fireplace, and comfortable chairs. We are tired and weary. We have come so far with Jesus. Maybe we will just stay here.

"After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."

Will you continue to follow Jesus all the way and never turn back? It is well worth the trip!

PRAYER

Jesus, I never want to become so discouraged and overwhelmed by the circumstances of life that I would quit following you. I want to follow you all the way up the mount of faith. Would you keep my mind, spirit and emotions closely connected to your heart. Help me daily to experience and live the promises of God in my life.