Friday 18 July 2014
- Bible Book:
- John
“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (v. 63)
Background
In John's Gospel a small number of miracles are seen as signsthat point to truths about Jesus. The significance of the sign isopened up in a discourse given by Jesus. This passage is part of alengthy discourse following the feeding of the 5,000 (
Some of the wider group of followers are finding Jesus wordsdifficult to accept. Jesus offers an explanation - all that he hassaid about being the bread of life must be viewed in the light ofthe Ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit (verses 62-63) (seeActs 1-2). His message is to be understood inthe light of his death, Resurrection and Ascension.
The message is too hard for many and they leave, whereupon Jesuschallenges the twelve as to whether they too wish to leave (verse67). Simon Peter speaks up and pledges continuing allegiance tofollowing Jesus. Jesus, however, is quick to point to the fact thathe first chose them so their following is to be seen by way ofresponse to Jesus initiative toward them.
The final verses reference Jesus' betrayal by JudasIscariot.
These verses mark the conclusion of Jesus' ministry in Galileeand have strong echoes of incidents recounted in the other Gospels(Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi for instance -
To Ponder
- What are the 'hard words' that you struggle with in being aChristian today?
- How do you see Judas' role in Jesus' ministry?