John 6:60 English Standard Version

The Words of Eternal Life

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

Isaiah 43:19 English Standard Version (ESV) Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Perhaps it was only hard because it was new.

This was after Jesus had fed the five thousand with two fish and five loaves. His disciples had entered a boat without Him and He walked to them on the water during the night. Those that were of the five thousand followed Jesus to Capernaum.

Can those that sought Jesus be called disciples since they followed Him to Capernaum? Jesus challenged them by saying they only followed Him because He fed them. It was these people that brought up the manna from heaven by laying claim to their heritage. They had been taught the Torah in the old school traditions. Now they were hearing something new that Isaiah spoke of in 43:19.

Jesus took what they knew and brought a higher meaning to the bread of life.

Now for a hard saying. Verse 60 above says many disciples said “This is a hard saying.” It does not say the twelve, or His apostles, but rather many disciples.

Is a disciple anyone that follows Jesus, even if it is for the wrong reason?

John 6:66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve?

Are we called to be disciples or are we chosen?

Revelation 17:14 English Standard Version (ESV) They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Are we still with Him?