“Do you take offense at this?”

John 6:60-65, When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Jesus doesn’t back down from the truth about Himself, for He knew that there were those who only claimed to be His disciples. What He does not do is to change His message that they grumbled about! Whenever the gospel is presented, there may be those who grumble; there may also be those who have heard it before and suddenly the Holy Spirit of God quickens the amazing message of truth, grace, mercy and justice through Jesus’ death on the cross and His rising. We don’t even know who it might be that is hearing the message who is ready to come to life. All He asks is that we tell others of His good news and those whom the Father grants will hear His voice!

We thank You that You are able to use us no matter our own eloquence when we speak Your truth in love: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!

ESV Lectionary