From the desk of Pastor Ben

Offending False Disciples

But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?”         (John 6:61)

Jesus knows the heart of every person, and in this case it was easy for Him to realize that the people were grumbling at His instructions. He used the Greek word translated “stumble,” which can mean either “to take offense” (Matthew 13:57) or “to give up believing” (Matthew 24:10). Both meanings fit for these false disciples, who were offended by our Lord’s teaching and consequently discarded their superficial faith in Him.

Because one of the Jews’ key offenses was Jesus’ claim to have come down from heaven, He asked them what they would think if they saw Him ascending back to heaven. Implicit in this question seems to be the Lord’s wondering if such a sight would convince these doubters that He indeed come from heaven. Some commentators see in this reference to the ascension an allusion to the crucifixion as well. In other words, Christ’s point would be, “If you false disciples are offended by My teaching, how much more will you be offended by My crucifixion?” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

Jesus knows that the only way anyone’s offense toward Him will melt away is if he yields to “the Spirit who gives life,” rather than his unprofitable flesh (John 6:63). Authentic spiritual life comes only when God’s Spirit gives the Son’s life to believers (Colossians 3:3-4), never merely through “the will of the flesh” (John 1:13).

Ask Yourself:
Why does belief in Jesus require the reaction of stumbling on our part? And what does this necessity take away from the human will and nature that we would much rather keep if we could? Why can there be no true salvation that doesn’t cause us to fall on our knees?