Articles
Why They Left and Why They Stayed
John 6:66 says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (NKJV). In some ways, it is comforting to know people even walked away from Jesus just as they walk away from Him today. Yet, in other ways, it is shocking to think if not even Jesus could keep disciples committed then how can imperfect people like us keep disciples committed? In the context of John 6, there are three key reasons we might identify that led people to walk away from Jesus. Yet, there is one key reason why some of His disciples stayed. Let’s take a look at three of the causes...because, people really are not that different today.
They left because they were not interested in Jesus, but the bread. Jesus Himself knew it when He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life…” (John 6:26-27). Some people come to Christians and to churches just seeking physical blessing. This is why the “Prosperity Gospel” is so popular. It caters to people’s desires. Yet, Christians and churches are not ATM machines anymore than Jesus was a bread bakery. We have something greater to offer as followers of Christ, the eternal life found in Jesus Christ Himself, who is “the bread of life” (6:35).
They left because they were discouraged by skepticism. In John 6:42 some of the critics of Jesus say, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven.’” Some people misunderstand and twist the statements of Jesus and the statements of Scripture “to their own destruction” (see 2 Peter 3:16). For some, all it takes is a quick one-liner or a jab of skepticism and they think they have the “evidence” they need to disbelieve. Yet, a deeper look at the statements of these critics could have quickly dismantled their mic drop moment.
They left because they were offended by some of the “hard sayings” of Jesus (see John 6:60-61). Maybe it was “hard” because they did not understand what Jesus meant when He was explaining His “flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed” (6:55). Maybe it was “hard” because they just did not want to commit to this new lifestyle. Yet, either way, some people walk away from Jesus because they do not want to work to “rightly divide the word of truth” or to make application of it in their lives (2 Timothy 2:15).
So, why did they stay? Simply, Peter knew what the “signs” meant about Jesus. So, He says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68, NKJV). Who else can authoritatively claim to have power in your eternal destiny?
