A Day in the Life of Jesus
There are moments in the Christian journey when Jesus’ words cut so deep that we find ourselves at a crossroads. Do we walk away when the path becomes too demanding, or do we press deeper into faith when everything within us wants to retreat? John 6:60-65 presents us with one of these defining moments—a day when many who had been following Jesus suddenly found themselves unable to continue.
Picture the scene: Jesus has just delivered what scholars call His “Bread of Life” discourse, explaining that true spiritual nourishment comes only through Him. The crowds that had enthusiastically followed Him after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand are now shifting uncomfortably. These were not necessarily true believers, but rather “temporary adherents to Jesus”—people impressed with His miracles but not necessarily committed to His message.
The Hard Word That Changes Everything
The text tells us that many of His disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. Who can tell what he means?” But here’s where our English translations sometimes miss the nuance of the original language. The Greek word skleros doesn’t mean “difficult” in an intellectual sense—it means “hard” in the sense of being “harsh,” “demanding,” or “austere.” These followers weren’t struggling to comprehend Jesus intellectually; they were recoiling from the demanding nature of His call.
The phrase “hard saying” (skleros logos) carries profound theological weight. On a literal level, logos refers to what has been said, but on a deeper level, it encompasses the reasons and logic behind the words. Going deeper still: Jesus is the Logos. When the disciples called Jesus’ teaching “hard,” they weren’t just rejecting His words—they were struggling with the very essence of who He claimed to be.
Jesus well knew within himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, and the Greek word is skleros, which means not hard to understand; but hard to accept. This distinction is crucial for us today. Often our struggle with following Jesus isn’t about understanding what He’s asking—it’s about accepting the cost of obedience.
When Jesus Doesn’t Meet Our Expectations
Why did Jesus’ words prove so difficult? The commentary provides four illuminating reasons that still resonate today. First, these followers may have realized that Jesus wasn’t going to be the conquering Messiah-King they expected. They wanted Jesus on their terms, wanting to negotiate with Him: “Give us a sign and we’ll believe in you. Give us magic bread from heaven and we will come to you.” But Jesus wasn’t interested in meeting their consumer-driven expectations.
Second, He refused to give in to their self-centered requests. In the face of their demand for bread, Jesus gave them a hard saying: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” He didn’t want to merely fill their bellies; He wanted to satisfy their souls.
Third, Jesus emphasized faith over works. This challenged the very foundation of religious self-effort that many held dear. And finally, His teachings were genuinely difficult to understand, and some of His words were offensive to their sensibilities.
As pastor and author Jason Meyer observes, “When Jesus speaks a hard word, some stop following. But others press through the hard saying to see and enjoy more of him.” This perfectly captures the choice that faced Jesus’ first-century followers and continues to confront us today.
The Divine Initiative in Faith
Jesus’ response to their grumbling reveals a profound theological truth that can be both comforting and challenging. He asks, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see me, the Messiah, return to heaven again?” Jesus is essentially saying that if they find His earthly ministry difficult, how will they handle the mystery of His divine origin and destiny?
But then comes the heart of His response: “Only the Holy Spirit gives eternal life. Those born only once, with physical birth, will never receive this gift.” Jesus draws a clear distinction between a purely physical and spiritual understanding, challenging His disciples—and us—to look beyond the surface, to see with spiritual eyes.
The passage concludes with a statement that has sparked theological discussion for centuries: “That is what I meant when I said that no one can come to me unless the Father attracts him to me.” This points to a profound theological truth: our faith is not solely the result of our efforts. It’s a gift from God. This doesn’t make us passive recipients, but it reminds us that God is always reaching out to us, always inviting us into deeper relationship.
The Great Departure and the Faithful Remnant
The result of Jesus’ hard teaching was immediate and dramatic. The Greek used to describe the reaction of these people is apēlthon eis ta opisō, kai ouketi met’ autou periepatoun, which is translated using “withdrew,” “turned back,” or “turned away,” such that the people “deserted,” “no longer walked,” or “no longer followed” Jesus.
This is the fundamental reason people reject Jesus Christ: He doesn’t coordinate with our own selfish interests. When Jesus demands total surrender rather than partial commitment, when He calls us to take up our cross rather than promising immediate comfort, many find the cost too high.
But notice what Jesus doesn’t do in this moment. He doesn’t water down His message to make it more palatable. He doesn’t chase after those who are leaving with compromise or concessions. Instead, He turns to the twelve and asks, perhaps with a mixture of sadness and hope, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
Peter’s response is magnificent in its simplicity and profound in its faith: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Peter and the rest of that core of disciples represent what it means to trust that God will provide manna. They stick closely to Jesus, who is the manna, and they listen to his words.
The Contemporary Challenge
This passage speaks directly to our contemporary situation. In our Gospel this morning, we have two different approaches to this difficulty. When they heard it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching! Who can listen to it?” After this, many of his disciples turned back and were not walking with him anymore. One approach is simply to leave Jesus behind and take what appears to be the easier road.
But as one preacher wisely notes, “The things of this life pass away and end up being meaningless. What I do for you and give to you lasts forever.” The easy path often leads to spiritual emptiness, while the difficult path of discipleship leads to lasting satisfaction.
The difficulty in John 6 is not simply the cognitive content of believing something about Jesus, but also the lack of trust that the disciples display. Like the Israelites, they have experienced God’s miraculous provision, but they do not trust that God will continue to provide for them in the wilderness.
Living in the Tension
What does this mean for us as modern disciples? First, it reminds us that authentic faith isn’t always comfortable. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He beckons us to lay down our old way of thinking, living, and believing. By God’s grace alone, we crucify our former life and obey the divine summons of cross-bearing.
Second, it challenges us to examine our motivations for following Jesus. Are we seeking Him for what He can give us, or are we willing to follow Him regardless of the cost? To partake of Jesus as manna involves a reliance on God. It means recognizing our complete dependence on His grace and provision.
Third, it reminds us that genuine discipleship is a community endeavor. We’re called to be part of a community of faith, journey together, support each other when doubts arise, and celebrate together the joys of faith. When the going gets tough, we need fellow believers who will encourage us to press on rather than give up.
The Invitation Still Stands
The beautiful truth is that Jesus’ invitation still stands today. He still calls out to those who are hungry and thirsty, offering Himself as the bread of life and living water. He still challenges us with hard sayings that reveal the depth of His love and the cost of discipleship. And He still promises that those who come to Him will find satisfaction for their deepest longings.
The question Peter posed remains relevant: “Lord, to whom shall we go?” In a world filled with competing voices and alternative gospels, where else can we find the words of eternal life? Where else can we discover purpose, meaning, and hope that transcends our circumstances?
As we reflect on this pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry, we’re reminded that following Christ has never been about convenience or comfort. It’s about recognizing that in Him alone we find everything we need for life and godliness. It’s about trusting that even when His words are hard to accept, they are the words of life.
The choice that faced those first-century disciples faces us today: Will we turn away when the teaching gets difficult, or will we press deeper into faith, trusting that Jesus has the words of eternal life? May we, like Peter, choose to stay close to the One who is our true bread from heaven, finding in Him the satisfaction our souls long for and the strength we need for the journey ahead.
Thank you for taking time to study the life of our Lord with us today. These moments of difficulty in Jesus’ ministry remind us that authentic discipleship requires courage, commitment, and community.
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For additional resources on biblical discipleship and growing in your faith, I encourage you to explore this excellent article: What Is Christian Discipleship? – Ligonier Ministries