Meaningful Life
Date: June 30, 2025
John 6:66-71
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Meaningful Life – June 30, 2025
TEXT: John 6:66-71
Theme: “Do You Also Want to Go Away?”
Take-Away Point: Remain Stuck on Jesus to the End.
In verses 35 and 53 of John chapter 6, Jesus boldly declared that “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (53) “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” This saying annoyed the people so greatly because they took Jesus saying from a literary position, they wondered how in the world does He want us to eat His flesh and drink His blood? Are we cannibals? This is especially true for the Israelites because in Leviticus 17:14, God had commanded the people of Israel through Moses not to eat anything creature with its blood:
“For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.” (ESV).
Considering the above context the people were partially right for feeling this way but unfortunately, they were wrong because Jesus was not telling them to eat his physical body or drink his human blood, they had succeeded in twisting and misinterpreting Jesus' words.
Jesus was speaking figuratively to emphasize that believing in him as our Lord and Savior is essential to having eternal life. Just as we all will die without physical food, so also, we cannot have a spiritual life apart from Jesus. So, we must Eat Him, that is, receive him, trust him, believe in him, have faith in him, and partake of him (in worship and fellowship).
Our text tells us about three types of Christians and followers of Jesus.:
1. Those Who Will Not Stay with Jesus All the Way (till the end) (vs 66). One character trait of those who walk away from following Jesus or those who opt out of Christianity is the fact that they take offense at the hard truth. They cannot stand the truth being pointed out to them especially as it affects things they find pleasure in or are interested in and do not want to give up their lifestyles.
2. Those Who Will Never Abandon Jesus No Matter What (68-69). There is this saying that ‘Winners Never Quit” This is the reality of genuine, authentic, and faithful Christians who are loyal to Master Jesus. They will never abandon their Savior. They are like loyal soldiers who will never abandon their commander on the battlefield.
The truth is this: God will not force anyone to do His will. He has given us freedom of choice. That is why Jesus asked the twelve disciples “Do you also want to go away?” The road to salvation is an individual and personal race. It is your decision to make.
While responding to Jesus’ question, Peter was telling Jesus we have done life with, we know your integrity and character, there is no deceit in you. You are not a deceiver Lord; you are not a liar. Everything you said you are and what you promised to do is exactly what you have done and will continue to do. You have fulfilled all the prophecies and revelations said about you. We believe and we know that you are truly the Son of the Living God. Therefore, there is no other place to go, there is no alternative to you. This should be our position too.
3. Those Who Will Betray and Deny Jesus (70-71). Jesus exposed the fact that there was a betrayer among them. Jesus reminded the twelve disciples that he was the one that chose them, and I know that one of you will betray me. Jesus called his betrayer the devil. How unfortunate that one who had done life with Jesus, ate with him, did ministry with him, and yet plotted to betray Jesus. How sad?
It is my sincere prayer that as you reflect on this passage and devotion this week, may you never find reasons or be tempted to betray Jesus, you will pray for courage and the grace to finish strong for Jesus and never to walk away from His loving arms and mercy.
Thank God for the end of the month of June, 2025.
I wish you a meaningful week in Christ Jesus.
David Kachi Jite