Are we able to digest the hard and difficult and strange?

We must ask ourselves why are we following Jesus. Are we following Him because He is God or are we following Him because He is feeding us? If you follow Him because you are looking for comfort or to be fed, then when spiritual meat is served, you will vomit

John 6:26 (AMP) Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied.

In this chapter, Jesus attempted to explain to His people that they must search for more than physical food. On the surface, humans react to our physical needs. We may even start to believe in things from people because it satisfies our humanistic needs.

Humans continue to search for comfort when in fact Jesus said you will experience tribulation and suffering if you follow Him. This is a road and realty we must accept. We must accept what is allowed and we must learn to overcome our situations instead of always looking for the exit sign.

God is molding and training us. Yet, we think when God trains and mold us, we believe it should be done under comfortable conditions in which we should be making lots of money, big house, big cars, business/career, education, retirement, and so on. We believe as long as these conditions are met, we are now ready to be trained and molded by God.

Oh, how little many of us know God and His ways. It is through suffering, tribulation, and darkness He shines the greatest and we are purified. It is through our weakness His Power is made Perfect! It is in the terrible furnace of fire we are purified. Then to be molded into a beautiful sword, the metal must be BEATEN into shape. Through the pain will come a beautiful sword for His Kingdom. How many are willing to finish their process?

John 6:55-66 (AMP) For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink.56He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him.57Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.58This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever.59He said these things in a synagogue while He was teaching at Capernaum.60When His disciples heard this, many of them said, This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message). Who can stand to hear it? [Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?]61But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining and protesting and grumbling about it, said to them: Is this a stumbling block and an offense to you? [Does this upset and displease and shock and scandalize you?] 62What then [will be your reaction] if you should see the Son of Man ascending to [the place] where He was before?63It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.64But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him.65And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.66After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.

Verse 60 says many said His teaching was too "hard and difficult and strange (an offensive and unbearable message). Then sadly, on verse 66, "many disciples drew back (return to their old associations) and no longer accompanied HIM."

The word disciple became Christian in the book of Acts. How many have withdrawn to their own form of piety no longer accompanying Him? How many will hold their ground to stand on Truth even though it is hard and difficult and strange? Will you look for something easy to digest? Ask the Lord for His Wisdom but know it only comes through the Fear of the LORD!

May He lead you to His Truth. May He put you in agreement with HIM. May He be Glorified!!!

Fire of God!!
Steve Yong Kim