Lenten Meditation: Day 16

Reading

John 6:60-69 (ESV)

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 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?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Meditation

Where would we go?  A wandering heart is what I possess.  Where is would we go?  Every day in multiply ways I show that I am more than capable of finding another way.  Many left and no longer walked with Jesus. Things were getting tough and Jesus’ words were becoming harder to listen too.  Most of the time my moving away is done by a reimaging of Jesus.  I like to make him into an image I can handle.  But He is ruthless in His assertions of pre-eminence in our lives.  Thank goodness the Father makes the way. If it was up to me I would walk away, but the Father granted me to come.  Praise the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, make our answers to you Peter’s answer.  Make our hearts cry out for your words.  Forgive us when we seek other sources of life.  Draw us back to your wellspring.  Even when it is hard to follow, we want to turn away because it is hard; hold us in your loving embrace. We are yours by your choosing.   We have surrendered to you by your good pleasure.  Thank you for making us alive. Amen