Understanding what Jesus says

"Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?62What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  64But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  65And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

                                                              John 6:63-65   NKJV

At times people, including the disciples, found it difficult to understand what Jesus was saying. He may have been telling them a parable or He may have been speaking words of the Holy Spirit. Either way, some found it difficult. These people were the one's that were not born of the Spirit. Some of the disciples had a little way to go yet before this happened to them.

Here Jesus had been speaking to the crowds, religious leaders and many of the disciples. The people were confused and troubled by what He said; in fact, some turned away from Him altogether. He was speaking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. He is the Bread of Life - the Living Bread, He that eats it, eat His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life and will live forever.

The people failed to realise that He was not speaking literally, it was a synonym of faith spoken figuratively by Jesus but they got it all wrong. Perhaps we would have done as well if we had been there at the time? Jesus was not speaking about His literal flesh but the subject of  believing in Him. The flesh does not give life, only the Holy Spirit does. Jesus words are spiritual and life-giving. The words of people can inform us but, only the Words of God can transform us.

The Holy Spirit takes a person's belief in Jesus' words and activates Jesus' life in that person to give him or her, spiritual life. Salvation cannot be attained through human effort.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
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