People are Leaving Jesus (6:60-71)

[60] Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
[61] When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?
[62] What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?
[63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.
[65] And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.
[67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
[68] Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
[69] And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
[70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
[71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.


Leaving (vv. 60–71).

It's not always difficult to understand what our Lord said, but it can be very difficult to accept once you do understand. The Jewish religious leaders misunderstood and disbelieved what He said. They were "offended" by what He said. They were confused by the fact that He said He came down from heaven. They also found it challenging to believe that they had to eat His flesh and drink His blood to be saved. But if they couldn't handle these two things, what would they do if they saw Him go back to heaven (John 6:62)?

Jesus said that what He said was not literal but figurative and spiritual. There is no salvation in "flesh." The New Testament doesn't say anything good about "the flesh." There is nothing good about it (Rom. 7:18), and we shouldn't trust it (Phil. 3:3).

So, how do we "eat His flesh and drink His blood"? Answer: By reading the Word. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). "And the Word became flesh" (John 1:14). Our Lord said the same thing: "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life," (John 5:24). The scribes who were familiar with Jeremiah 31:31–34 would have comprehended the notion of internalizing God’s Word.

Most of our Lord's disciples left after hearing this message. They returned to their previous life, religion, and despondent circumstances. They would not follow Jesus, who is "the way". There is a disagreement with the Jewish leaders about walking with Him. God wasn't surprised by this because He knows everyone's heart.

Peter was the one who spoke up when Jesus asked His twelve apostles if they were going to leave Him too. Where else could they go? "Thou hast the words of eternal life." Peter got the point! He understood that Jesus was talking about the Word and not about real flesh and blood.

Peter was one of many people who said they believed Jesus was the Son of God (see John 1:34, 49; 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4, 27; 19:7; 20:31). The only thing he did wrong was speak for the whole group. Peter was sure that all of the apostles were believers, which shows how persuasive Judas was. Even Peter didn't know that Judas didn't believe and was a traitor!

When people hear the Word of God preached, it should always make them think about their our heart. God uses the truth, which is His Word, to bring sinners to the Savior. People who don't believe the Word will also not believe the Savior.

Those who embrace the Word will also embrace the Savior and experience rebirth, leading to eternal life. Do you feel your need because you are spiritually hungry? Are you ready to admit that you need help and go to the Savior? He will save you and give you His free gift of eternal life if you invite Him into your life.