It has been said that “if Jesus is all you have, you have all that you need.” In the Scripture we find a similar statement by Jesus, it goes like this: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). In John chapter 6, we find a fascinating exchange between Jesus, the crowds of fans that were following Him, and His closest disciples.
First, in chapter six we see that Jesus is being pursued by large crowds of people. At first glance, one might think this is good news! Large crowds means that the influence of Jesus must be growing… the truth of the Gospel is getting out there. Right? It turns out, that the only reason the crowds were following Jesus was because they had just had their fill after the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes (John 6:26). Although what the people really needed was Jesus, what they really wanted was earthly, temporal, and something that would perish. How often do you and I act more like the large crowds that sought signs, wonders, and temporary contentment instead of focusing our attention on things of eternal importance?
In this moment, we see that Jesus trying to redirect the attention of the large crowds to their true need: Him. In this moment we see Jesus tell the large crowds that what they really needed to do was to feed on his flesh and to drink his blood (see John 6:54). This statement was not literal but symbolic but it caused an uproar among the great crowds and the Scripture tells us that many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him (John 6:33).
Believe it or not, the point of this devotion is not the large crowds or even those disciples who turned away from Jesus when His teaching became hard for them to hear. It is what happens after the departure of the large crowds. John 6:67 records what Jesus does and says next: So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” In this moment, a separation is occurring. The large crowds who were only concerned with the temporal and what Jesus could do for them were being separated from the true disciples, those who would know that all that truly mattered was Jesus. The words of Peter should be a clarion call for you and I still today: Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69 ESV)
Do you sense the application? When the words of Jesus seem hard to submit to, where else are we going to go? Only He has the words of eternal life. When following Jesus sees us having to make hard choices between the life we once lived and the new life we are called to, to who else shall we turn? Only Jesus is the Holy One of God. Without Jesus we have nothing, we are nothing, and we are headed to a place worse than nothing: eternal separation from God.
This is the moment where I remind you that Jesus is not looking for fans. Jesus is not seeking shallow commitment or admiration. Jesus is not seeking large crowds with easy words. He is seeking true disciples, committed followers, men and women who are committed to following Him no matter where life leads.
So… what’s the application? If Jesus is all you have, you have all you need. When it costs you everything, follow Jesus. Through pain, suffering, persecution, and rejection, follow Jesus. If you have to follow Him alone, follow Jesus. When it doesn’t make sense, keeping following Jesus. Keep trusting. Keep obeying. Keep surrendering. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep turning to Him with intentionality, purpose, and commitment. Fight the good fight. Keep the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
In the words of Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
