Going Separate Ways

March 4 Going Separate Ways John 6:60-71

“Many might say that it would have been better that such a sermon had never been preached which caused many to fall away. But we ought to look at it very differently. For it was necessary then, and is now daily necessary, that what had been foretold about Christ should be seen in His teaching, namely, that He is the stone of stumbling.” John Calvin “Commentary on John” Vol. 4:177

There are few things more painful than division within the body of the Church, especially when some feel that they must leave. If the division is caused by some matter of principle then at least there is a reason for the separation. More often, people just leave because they have grown tired of a particular Church, or because they have found other interests. In some ways, abandonment because of apathy is harder to bear than parting on principle. It’s never easy when those who have prayed and worked and worshipped together go their separate ways, even though sometimes it may be necessary.

When Jesus spoke to His disciples and others gathered in the synagogue in Capernaum, many of them were offended by His words. As a result, some walked away, choosing no longer to follow the rabbi from Nazareth. Doubtless, some of them had been looking for material or physical benefits. When they discovered that Jesus was not interested in ejecting the Romans from Palestine and establishing a new kingdom, they simply lost interest. If His was to be a spiritual Kingdom, then they had better things to do. Others were presumably offended by Jesus’ claim to have come from the Father. They had been attracted by the man Jesus; they had no time for a Christ. Some of those who heard Him must have reacted against His claim to be greater than Moses. He said that the heavenly food He would provide would not corrupt, unlike the manna in the wilderness. They would have found it disturbing that He would compare Himself to the great hero of Israel. This man had ideas above His station. Finally, there would be some who were offended by the metaphorical language Jesus used. They could not get beyond the imagery of eating flesh and drinking blood.

So, they walked away, leaving Jesus with the Twelve. Peter spoke for the group when he affirmed Jesus as, “the Holy One of God,” whose words were the words of eternal life. He spoke more than he knew. Peter’s loyalty was touching, but his words still represented an incomplete understanding of Jesus and His ministry.

As for those who left, two things need to be said. First, it’s interesting to note that their objections to Jesus are described as an “offence” (v.61). The Greek word is skandalon, a term Paul would later use to refer to the Cross (I Corinthians 1:23). We sometimes forget that the message of Christianity can be scandalous to those who do not accept Jesus as Lord; but that which causes others to stumble is the means of our salvation.

Second, we should note that the New Testament makes a distinction between disciples and believers. Disciples are those who follow a particular teacher, in this case Jesus. Believers are those who have accepted the claims of Christ and trusted Him for salvation. It is possible to be a disciple without being a believer; a disciple can always walk away. Though believers may disagree, and must sometimes part company, they can never walk away from Jesus.

For further reading: Psalm 72