John 6:66 English Standard Version (ESV) After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

I ended yesterday’s offering with the comment that it has happened before. Let us see what that means as it is sent to us in the 6^th chapter of the gospel of John.

This chapter is broken up into several sections. First there are the miracles. Secondly the words to people in general. Third is the words to the Jews. Then finely the confession of faith.

The miracles begin with the feeding of five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then Jesus walks on the water to be received into the boat that left without Him.

During His speech to the common people He said in verse 26 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

During His speech to the Jews there response to His declaration of being The Bread of Life in verse 52 “The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”” This request was in violation of the Mosaic Law. They challenged His authority to change the law.

During His speech to His disciples He said in verse 65 “And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.””

Immediately after this comment comes our opening quote John 6:66 which is a confession of faith in that many of His followers, of which only 12 were apostles, confessed that God had not called them and that they did not follow Jesus by faith. Then they stopped following Jesus.

This is why it is important to properly understand being chosen, being called and following Jesus by faith and for no other reason.

1 Peter 2:9 English Standard Version (ESV)  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 King James Version (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

1 Peter 2:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Understand the nature of mankind and how sensitive they can be over the slightest perceived offence. The variety of words used to identify people with the words race, generation and people is a variable where certain people will fix their focus and find offence. It is needless but it happens. We cannot deny how people react.

Use the word race and there will be a group who immediately think racism. It isn’t right but that is a common reaction today for some people.

For some generation implies a limited range which by their own definition is ill defined. It might be a hundred years, or seventy-five years, or even less depending on the individuals understanding. We cannot control how people feel about certain words.

Chosen and called are words used in each of the examples and there is a select group of individuals who take offense justly because they in fact have not been chosen, nor called. Rarely will we hear them cry about their plight. They often revel in their sin and glorify sin.

That is nothing new. It has happened before.