Many of Jesus' Disciples Leave - John 6:66

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-six of his book, John shared, “from that time many of his disciples went back” where we read:

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The verse reads, “From that time many of his disciples went back, ...”. John began with the words, “from that time” or “after and at that particular moment” “many of his disciples” which means “a large and massive number of Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” “went back” or “left and departed to go away from Him”. John shared how a large number of Jesus' “students” left Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... and walked no more with him.” John continued with the words, “and walked no more” which means “and no longer made their way, followed or accompanied” “with him” or “alongside Jesus”. John shared how the disciples who left Jesus no longer followed Him.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn just how deeply Jesus' words affected a “large number” of His disciples. They left Him, and they followed Him no more. We can almost imagine the face of Jesus as these disciples departed from Him especially when He knew that His words were “spiritual and eternal” and would benefit them throughout all eternity. Jesus, unfortunately, watches people depart from Him today. Because He did not meet their expectations or perhaps did not perform as they desired, they “went back” to their old ways before they met Him. Jesus, however, is always ready to receive a person back into relationship with Him, and because He died for all sins, He is willing to forgive the sin of abandoning Him. Let all who read these words consider the teachings of Jesus and purpose to never leave Him regardless of how difficult His words may seem.

Next time John shares how Jesus asks His twelve disciples, “will you also go away?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".