The Chosen Ones

Would you pick someone who would betray you to be on your team?

I would have a hard time if I had to choose someone like that, but I cannot imagine being forced to do that.  It would be a bizarre situation.

But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, 'For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. - John 6:64-66

John has no problem laying out the bizarre circumstances for us.  He wants us to see Jesus in a totally different light than the other gospel writers.  It is as if he wants to shock us, and today's reading does just that.

In one way, it shows us that not everyone will choose to follow Jesus, that some will find it too hard.  While at the same time, it shows Jesus as accepting and even choosing someone he knows will betray him.

Jesus tells his followers that it is up to his father who can come to him and who cannot.  This makes some of them turn away.  So, Jesus asks his disciples if they too wish to leave.

It sounds like an organization in trouble, one that is falling apart.  Was that his intent?  Is John trying to show us the group is to remain small, that the chosen are few?  What about Jesus' message was so difficult for people who started out following him, to continue on the path?

Another way to look at this is to ask ourselves how difficult is it for us to follow Jesus?

For many, I would assume it is not difficult at all.  We go about our business and live our lives with a belief system given to us at birth or as a child and we accept it without question.

We focus on the words "My burden is light" and we wear our faith like fine clothing.

So, what are we missing if all these followers found it so difficult?

Some of the commentators I read say it was the teaching of Jesus as the bread of life and the living water that caused them to walk away.  They couldn't understand how he would die and come back to life to be a sacrifice for their sins.

If that is the issue, then we have no problem, right?  We understand that and go through the motions every Sunday, remembering his death and resurrection, consuming the bread and wine, feasting on his body and blood in either a figurative or very real sense, depending on our belief.

Yeah.  That could turn some people off.  It does sound gruesome.

But what if that isn't that?  What if it is something else, something they found disappointing?

When they realized this man was not the type of Messiah they expected, that his kingdom was not of this world, they may have felt cheated.  They wanted to be free of tyranny and persecution, to be a mighty kingdom of their own, to achieve wealth and greatness.

To discover that these worldly goals were of little consequence to Jesus, that they had to give up all they had to truly follow, they walked away, seeking a voice that would fit their vision.

So, I wonder.  Are we hearing that same message or are we ignoring it and pressing on as if we are true to our faith?

As we approach Lent, our period of introspection and self assessment, we should take a close look at the Jesus we follow and ask ourselves if we are hearing him clearly.

We may find we have overdubbed his message with our own.

There is still time to get back on track, to strip bare the perceptions of truth to reveal what is true beneath.

Throughout Lent, I will attempt to revisit this question of faith and I invite all to participate openly.  Feel free to share and maybe together we can see more clearly what Jesus had in mind for us.

More to come...