"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."
John 6:66
This is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. Jesus had just finished teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (again, not about cannibalism). The crowd didn't like what they heard. But notice who left: not just curious seekers or casual followers. The Bible says "many of his disciples" walked away. These were people who had been traveling with Jesus, learning from Him, calling themselves His followers. When the teaching got too hard, they faced a choice: stay or walk away. They chose to leave.
Following Jesus always involves teachings that challenge your comfort zone. Jesus never promised that discipleship would be easy or comfortable. He warned that His words would sometimes cut deep and cost much. The teaching about eating His flesh wasn't meant to be easy to swallow. It was designed to separate those who wanted Jesus for His benefits from those who wanted Jesus for Himself, no matter what it cost. Filtering time.
We must unlearn comfortable Christianity. We think following Jesus should always feel natural and easy. We believe that if something is from God, it won't challenge our lifestyle or thinking. We assume that hard teachings mean we're in the wrong place. But Jesus intentionally gave difficult teachings to reveal what was really in people's hearts. Comfort was never His goal; transformation was.
Pastor Rick Warren once said in an interview with Paul Bradshaw, "God is more interested in your character than your comfort." He made this statement while discussing how his wife Kay battled cancer despite thousands of prayers for healing. Warren explained that God didn't make it easy for her, but instead used the difficult situation to strengthen her character and give her a ministry to help others. Sometimes God allows hard teachings and painful circumstances not to punish us, but to shape us into who He wants us to become.
The moment of truth always comes when following Jesus gets costly. Every believer faces seasons when Jesus asks for something that feels too expensive. Maybe He's calling you to forgive someone who hurt you deeply. Maybe He's asking you to give up something you love. Maybe His Word is challenging attitudes you've held for years. These moments reveal whether you're following Jesus or just following the crowd that follows Jesus.
Real disciples don't bail when the teaching gets uncomfortable. They understand that spiritual growth happens in the wrestling, not in the avoiding. When Jesus' words step on their toes or challenge their assumptions, they lean in rather than walk away. They know that a teacher who never challenges them is a teacher who isn't helping them grow. The question isn't whether you'll face hard teachings, but whether you'll stay or walk away when they come. Dig in or ditch?
Godseekers, there will be times when Jesus' teaching feels too hard to handle. Your flesh will want to find an easier path or a more comfortable teacher. But remember that the teachings that challenge you most are often the ones you need most. Don't let difficult seasons cause you to walk away from the source of life itself. When the choice comes between staying and walking away, choose to stay close to Jesus especially when His words feel hard.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times I've wanted to walk away when Your teaching felt too hard. Help me to stay committed to You even when Your words challenge my comfort zone. Give me the courage to lean into difficult truths rather than running from them. When following You gets costly, remind me that You are worth whatever it takes. Strengthen my faith to endure hard seasons and grow through challenging teachings. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What teaching of Jesus do you find most challenging to accept?
- How do you respond when following Jesus requires sacrifice or discomfort?
Step of Faith
Today, I will choose to stay committed to Jesus even when His teaching challenges me, trusting that He knows what's best for my spiritual growth.
