THE CROWD TURNS BACK

[Guest lucy smith]

THE CROWD TURNS BACK

By A. W. Tozer

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked

no more with him. John 6:66

Our Lord Jesus Christ called men to follow Him, but He

plainly taught that "no man can come unto me, except it

were given him of my Father" John 6:65

It is not surprising that many of His early followers,

upon hearing these words, went back and walked no

more with Him. Such teaching cannot but be deeply

disturbing to the natural mind. It takes from sinful men

much of the power of self-determination. It cuts the

ground out from under their self-help and throws them

back upon the sovereign good pleasure of God---and that

is precisely where they do not want to be!

These statements by our Lord run contrary to the

current assumptions of popular Christianity. Men are

willing to be saved by grace, but to preserve their

self-esteem, they must hold that the desire to be saved

originated with them.

Most Christians today seem afraid to talk about these

plain words of Jesus concerning the sovereign operation

of God---so they use the simple trick of ignoring them!

[shammah]

Jesus doesn't want to be popular, He didn't want mass crowds, looking for signs and miracles!

The majority He purposefully offended, because it was unlawful to eat human flesh, or drink blood!

He knew that those who truely followed Him as Messiah would endure to the end, and He would make known the parable!

John.66:57-71;

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.

67Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?]

68Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life.

69And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God.

70Jesus answered them, Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And [yet] one of you is a devil (of the evil one and a false accuser).

71He was speaking of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he was about to betray Him, [although] he was one of the Twelve.

No one comes to Jesus unles the Father draws Him; this may not seem fair, but the Lord knows our hearts; many followed Him, but few remained, and later most likely called Him a blasphemer!

The Lord isn't looking for a massive revival as the churches preach, not quantity of the luke-warm, but quality, vessels of silver and gold refined in the fires of affliction, persecution, and obedient loyalty, enduring to the end!

Agape in Christ; Ephraim.

[Leonard]

Yep. John 6:66; these 666'ers left when He unapologetically told them they must 'eat My flesh, and drink My blood.....'

[apothanein kerdos]

Deuteronomy 4:29 - If...thou shalt seek the Lord they God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all they heart.

2 Chronicles 15:2 - If ye seek him, he will be found of you.

Jeremiah 29:13 - Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Hebrews 11:6 - God is a rewarder of them that giligently seek him.

[O'Dannyboy]

These words could not be sweeter if they were sung by angels. Truly he is a loving shepherd whos' voice causes us to depart from the midst of goats.

[dgolvach]

The problem with our current culture is the epidemic of TOO MUCH SELF ESTEEM.

Just watch the NBA players.

Dan

[dgolvach]

I might have jumped to quick on the NBA guys. They just get alot of media coverage. In truth, most of us have taken a sip or two out of the TOO MUCH SELF ESTEEM cup. I have as well. Its a lie of the modern Freud induced mindset. Satan got kicked out of heaven for this very thing.

Baskeball Fan

Dan