“No Turning Back!”

“No Turning Back!”(Jn. 6:66-69).
Jesus had just talked of how one had to eat his flesh and drink his blood to qualify for heaven. Many of his disciples considered this to be a hard teaching that couldn’t be accepted.
Eating the flesh of Christ is not hard to understand; it is hard to accept – even today. In the early days of the organized church Holy Communion used to be celebrated behind closed doors. As such the Christians were accused of eating human flesh and drinking human blood. Whatever is not understood can always be misinterpreted and misrepresented.
When the disciples concluded that this was a hard teaching, difficult to be accepted, many of them turned back and no longer followed him.
It was then that Jesus turned to the Twelve, the inner circle and asked, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” This is such a decisive question in any leadership position. The “inner core” is a leader’s anchor! If they withdraw, you are laid bare.
There may be nothing wrong if we wonder how Jesus would have reacted if the Twelve had said, “Yes, we want to leave too!”
But they did not! Peter, being their mouthpiece as always answered Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Dear friend, more times than less we are faced with challenges that makes it difficult to accept Jesus Christ for what he offers. Yet, it is during such times that we should not be ashamed to parody Peter and say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Oh yes; he is the Holy One of God who has the words of eternal life. To those who believe, without him we are nothing!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help me daily to keep my resolve to remain with Christ even when his words are difficult to accept. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.