Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
John 6:52-54; 60-69
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 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. 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.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
One of the ongoing discussions I have had lately with those around me has been what my favorite fast food restaurant of all time is. Being from Texas, I had the great privilege of being introduced to a place called Whataburger (A.K.A. God’s gift to Earth). This 24 hour fast food restaurant known for its burgers and breakfast is a STAPLE in the Texas community and a go-to everytime I go and visit my mom back in Dallas. To me there isn’t much of a debate in that Whataburger is the best fast food place ever.
One of my favorite items to get when I go there is called the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. It is on their breakfast menu and let me tell you, there is NOTHING that compares to that great sandwich. Now I have tried Wendy’s when they moved to serving breakfast, and I have tried other chicken biscuits and added honey on it, but listen: NOTHING is better than Whataburger’s famous Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. The good news is according to reports Whataburger is soon coming to Tennessee so you will have the opportunity to try it for yourself one day.
In John 6 we see a group of people come to the reality that nothing compared to knowing and following Jesus. We see Jesus here at the height of His ministry with many people following Him. He had been performing miracles and people wanted to jump in and be a part of that. When we get towards the end of the chapter we see Him sharing some real truth. He speaks out in saying that He indeed is the true bread of life and goes on further to share that those who choose to eat of His flesh and drink His blood will have true eternal life. What Jesus was alluding to when discussing eating flesh and drinking blood was that those who chose to repent and surrender to Him will have true life. Many of the disciples after hearing that who wrote Him off as a lunatic and left, while others said it was too hard and left as well.
What happens next is so profound: Jesus asks the twelve disciples if they are wanting to leave as well, and Peter says “Lord, where can we go! You have the words of eternal life”. Wow! Peter’s response indicated the reality that he knew there was nothing better than following Jesus. Can I testify to that reality today as well friend? I know the world is a mess. I know you may be dealing with some heart-distressing issues in your life. I know you may be at a point where you want to press pause on following God because in your mind it doesn’t seem to be working, but listen– nothing is better than Jesus.
Jesus is better than obtaining all the riches in the world. Jesus is better than that fantasy you want to chase, leading you to destruction. Jesus is better than that temptation you want to indulge in. Jesus is oh so much better! So choose to follow Jesus. Choose to follow Him in every season of life, spending time in His word and in prayer for He has the words of eternal life. Reminds me of a verse from that old hymn:
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, thank you for son Jesus Chrirst coming to earth to die so that I could know You. Help me to understand that there truly is nothing better than knowing and following You. May I choose to be diligent in spending time with You every single day, and may that lead to telling others about the greatness of knowing You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
SONG OF WORSHIP FOR TODAY: Graves into Gardens
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God