(John 6: 60-69)
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? “What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (NKJV)
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To follow the path of the Holy One, we must embrace the forgiving grace that is offered to us through Jesus. In the day of Jesus, those around who witnessed the miracles of Jesus or in His name, have a unique insight and instantly were converted. Jesus has told us in John 6, that ‘no one can come to Him unless it is granted him by the Father’. Just as Jesus knew those who would betray him, God knows those who do not believe in their heart and soul that Jesus is our Savior. How lucky are we to have been given a road map to our own salvation? We are given the opportunity to confess our sins and accept Jesus into our hearts and souls and repent of our less than favorable ways. God isn’t asking us to be perfect. If we were, there wouldn’t have been a reason to send His only Son, Jesus to die for us so that we could be saved and join God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
God provided us a road map in the 10 Commandments. In a future article, we’ll visit the 10 Commandments and discuss how these play a part in our every day lives, today. In closing, I remind you of the blessing offered us through following the Beatitudes as a way of life. As we approach Pentecost, we’ll reflect on the Holy Spirit’s 7 gifts in a future posting.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blesses are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.
