What can I do for you ?” Instead , knowing that many were following Him for the wrong reasons , He often challenged them , saying things like , “ You are looking for me , not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill .” And , then , this radical teaching : “ Very truly I tell you , unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood , you have no life in you ” ( John 6:26 , 53 ). Hearing these words , many of His followers walked away . This was way too much for them to absorb . Their commitment went only skin deep .
Jesus , for His part , cared for each of those people in ways beyond our understanding . He was about to give His very life for them . But He wanted to separate the true from the false , the genuine from the counterfeit . He wanted true disciples , people who understood who He was and were willing to pay the price that would be required of them in the future . He had no interest in crowds or big numbers alone . Instead , He sifted them to see what was in their hearts . ( For another example , see Luke 14:25 – 33 .)
A Growing Problem in the Church
For many years , I have been deeply concerned about the type of “ gospel ” message people are hearing . Is it built on the Word ? On truth ? Does it convict
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