The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 February 2024 – Real Disciples
TOPIC: Real Disciples
READ: John 6:60-66 (NKJV)
- Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard [this,] said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
- When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?
- “[What] then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?
- “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and [they] are life.
- “But 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.
- And 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.”
- From that [time] many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
THE MESSAGE:
Many of the disciples of Jesus who heard Him speak about the need to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to abide in Him (John 6: 56) considered it a very hard saying. Knowing that His disciples complained about what He said, Jesus made it clear that the Spirit gives life while the flesh profits nothing. He also said that His words are spirit and life; although some of the disciples did not believe what He said. He insisted that no one could come to Him except it had been approved by the Father. At this point, many of His disciples left and abandoned Him.
There are two types of disciples: Real and fair weather disciples. Real disciples stay with the Master no matter what, while fair weather disciples stay with the Master for a while and run away, when things get tough. Are you a real disciple of Jesus who stays with Him during the good and bad times, in plenty and scarcity, in joy or sorrow, and in poverty or riches? Or do you abandon your faith because of hardship, insecurity, childlessness, wealth, fame or position? Learn to abide in Christ irrespective of your environment and circumstances (John 15: 4) and you will be a fruitful Christian
PRAYER: Father, help me to be a real disciple of Jesus no matter what.
