Why do some disciples or followers of Christ remain devoted to Him? Part 1

“Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ ”John 6:67

The majority of Jesus’s disciples withdrew from Him for various reasons after His Bread of Life teaching (John 6:60-66). But what about those who remained with Him? Why did they remain devoted to Jesus? Why do some followers remain faithful to Christ? BECAUSE THEY HAVE RESOLVED TO STAY CLOSE TO JESUS (John 6:67).

As Jesus watches the multitude around Him leave, He looks at the Twelve. Can’t you see the hurt in Jesus’ eyes as He looks at them. “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ ”(John 6:67).  Jesus frames this question to expect a negative answer. “You don’t want to go away, too, do you? Are you committed? Let me hear you say so.” Jesus’s words imply that it is not impossible for His twelve disciples to leave, but the way He states it shows that His intent is to encourage them. “What do you really want, my friends? Do you want the process or the product?” The people that had left loved the product. People were being healed and fed an all-you-can-eat buffet. Life was good. But Jesus was pointing to a process of knowing and following Him. The twelve disciples could have left with the rest of the crowd, but they did not. Why? Because they resolved to stay close to Jesus. Have you resolved to follow Jesus regardless of the cost? Are you unreservedly committed to Him?

When Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1519, he was intent on conquest.  To assure the devotion of his men, Cortez set fire to his fleet of eleven ships! With no means of retreat, Cortez’s army had only one direction to move, into the Mexican interior. Cortez understood the price of commitment—and he paid it. We must burn our ships and move forward in our commitment to Jesus. Some of us may need to burn the following ships:

Selfishness“I’ll follow You as long as things go my way.”

Comfort“I’ll follow… if I don’t get hurt too bad”

Convenience“I’ll follow …if it doesn’t take a lot of my time or energy.”

But Jesus is calling us to surrender completely to Him. After all, it is not our life, it is His.

Notice that Jesus did not go after the multitudes when they left. He did not try to talk them out of leaving because He knew you cannot make someone do something against their will. Our Lord works with those who are willing, not unwilling. He invests His time and energy in those who are F.A.T. – Faithful, Available, and Teachable and we are to do the same.

Are we willing to remain devoted to Jesus even if the majority of people stop following Him or listening to Him? Have we burned our ships so that there is no turning back from following Jesus? Or do we have certain conditions that if met, will justify abandoning Jesus? Today is the day to burn those ship and resolve to stay close to Jesus no matter what the cost!

Prayer: Father God, many people may come to Jesus initially for what He can give to them. But as they listen to Him, they realize He is calling them to deeper commitments which go beyond their level of devotion to Him. Lord, I do not want to be like that, but my sinful flesh often wants the easy road instead of the road that requires endurance. Lord God, please show me  any ships in my life that need to be burned so I will remain devoted to You no matter what the costs. I believe in the days and months ahead, Christians are going to be deeply tested in their commitment to You. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of my complete devotion. This I know intellectually, but I also need to know this more in my heart and even in the depths of my unconscious mind. Please download the truth of Your Word into my heart or limbic system of my brain where many lies govern my decisions. May Your Holy Spirit replace those lies with Your truth so I will not be hindered as much from following You. Lord Jesus, I want to be unreservedly committed to You more than to anyone or anything else. Thank You for hearing my prayer my Lord and my God. In Jesus’s name. Amen.