What I’m Thinking: Not So Easy Jesus
There is a moment in the Gospel of John when, suddenly, Jesus loses followers – and I’m not talking about the night of his arrest and trial. Is it supposed to be easy to follow Jesus – or hard?
Here’s a transcript:
I’m thinking about the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. Just a few weeks ago, we were reading in that chapter, and Jesus announced that he was the “Bread of Life.” Those words have come as great comfort and support to Christians in the centuries since.
At the time, however, the response was, shall we say, more mixed. While some of Jesus’ followers told him that he had the words of life, others left him. This is the only part of the Gospel that I can think of (other than Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion) where we’re told about disciples that actually fell away.
Well, it’s made me wonder: Is Christianity just a little bit too easy?
Do we, or do we not, establish high standards, not just for doctrine, but also for behavior? Do we create a beloved and loving community, or do we say we do?
Well, some of Jesus’ followers found his words too much. Others found that he had the words of life.
Which is it for us?
That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you!
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1 Comment
by Gordon Bates
On August 20, 2018
Eric: While I understand the compelling purpose of the Gospels to persuade the reader without sidebar commentary, it has bothered me for a long time that those who did not follow Jesus immediately were largely ignored and their reactions or objections assumed to be either baseless or prompted by the Devil. Despite the fact that Jesus was very similar to or was a Pharisee, there was little interest in listening to their views. That approach is more typical today of the religious right. So perhaps another question to pose is how to bring our questions and doubts into dialogue with our decision to follow or walk away from the Jesus that is put before us in sermons or behaviors.