Genesis 3:9 English Standard Version (ESV) But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

My wife will sometimes say “hello” when my mind is deep in thoughts that do not include her.

That does not mean I do not love her. It does not mean we are not together because we will often be sitting on the couch together when it happens.

My heart is with her but my mind is busy elsewhere. Sometimes my mind is fixed on Jesus, His Word and I am pondering something in my heart. Neither does that mean I am following Jesus.

Those that went searching for Jesus in John 6 had reasons for doing so. At no time did I read the words “follow me”. This is one of those things that has to be seen in context to have a proper understanding of our relationship with Christ.

The Lord invited everyone to “eat of this bread”. That was an invitation, not a command. He does not command those that are not betrothed to Him by faith. At that particular time Jesus had not been crucified, had not risen, had not ascended, nor had the Holy Spirit been given.

It was only an invitation. What was to come was for a future date, like the time and date of a wedding invitation. It is just an invitation and we must show up at the right time and place in order to show we have accepted the invitation.

“Hello!!” Is it time for you to accept His invitation?

Has anyone presented you with the invitation? How would anyone know about this invitation unless someone told them about it? So if this is the first time you have ever heard this invitation to believe in Christ by faith and accept His offer of salvation, then here it is.

Christ has died as an atonement for all our sin before Father God, He is the acceptable sacrifice for sin. There is nothing you need to do to find favor with God except to believe that Christ died for our sins.

He rose from the grace to prove God has power over death and that eternal life begins with believing in Jesus Christ. That is just the beginning.

He ascended to the right hand of the throne of God and all things have been placed under His authority. He reigns from on high but has sent the Holy Spirit to speak all that He says to those of us who accept Him as Lord.

Then He commands us.

John 6:60 English Standard Version

The Words of Eternal Life

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

Isaiah 43:19 English Standard Version (ESV) Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Perhaps it was only hard because it was new.

This was after Jesus had fed the five thousand with two fish and five loaves. His disciples had entered a boat without Him and He walked to them on the water during the night. Those that were of the five thousand followed Jesus to Capernaum.

Can those that sought Jesus be called disciples since they followed Him to Capernaum? Jesus challenged them by saying they only followed Him because He fed them. It was these people that brought up the manna from heaven by laying claim to their heritage. They had been taught the Torah in the old school traditions. Now they were hearing something new that Isaiah spoke of in 43:19.

Jesus took what they knew and brought a higher meaning to the bread of life.

Now for a hard saying. Verse 60 above says many disciples said “This is a hard saying.” It does not say the twelve, or His apostles, but rather many disciples.

Is a disciple anyone that follows Jesus, even if it is for the wrong reason?

John 6:66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve?

Are we called to be disciples or are we chosen?

Revelation 17:14 English Standard Version (ESV) They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Are we still with Him?