John 6:60-69

John 6:60-69

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Sweet revelation. This passage is so alive in my heart right now. I feel connected to what the disciples were feeling in this moment. Jesus had just given a difficult and controversial message (even for Him), and the majority of His followers abandoned Him because of it. The price for following Jesus at that point was one that they just weren't willing to pay. So, the 12 sat with Jesus, and I can just picture the tension. I can picture Simon Peter's face as he sighs deeply and says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life".

This is my heart right now, people. It isn't the prettiest. It isn't the most joyful. But it's real. God is in the process of tearing down the Kingdom that Jonathan and I have made for ourselves in the past year. Our plans, our wants, our goals. He loves us entirely too much to let us do it our way. God told me months ago that if I didn't draw near to Him that I would be offended in my flesh concerning what He was about to do with Jonathan and I. And yes, I am hurt in my flesh. But, I am learning to die gracefully. And I am learning more and more that I have no rights. I am His, foreal. I am just a vessel, foreal. These aren't pretty words for Christians to say to make themselves look spiritual. He is God. His plans are better than my own!

So, Simon Peter's words in Amber's heart go something like this... "I've left everything behind. I've given all of my life to You. There is no going back. There is nothing else. And, as difficult as it is, I have no choice but to go forward with You. I am ruined for anything else. Only You hold the words of eternal life. Whatever the price is I'll pay it."

Have Your way, Lord Jesus. Amen.