Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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John 6 “The Cost of Discipleship”

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READ: John 6


Verses chosen for meditation: John 6:66-71


66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.


REFLECT

In the final paragraphs of this chapter, we see the reaction to Jesus’ teaching in Capernaum, and it was overwhelmingly negative. In v66, “many of his disciples” turned away. Disciples here are not referring to the Twelve, but anyone prepared to associate with Jesus. They found his teaching to be hard, and deemed his message about “eating his flesh and drinking his blood” offensive (John 6:52-55).  


Some resisted Jesus’ claim that he “came down from heaven” (John 6:41). Others disliked his unwillingness to take the role of a sociopolitical king who will liberate them from the Romans. Jesus told them that if they found this teaching offensive now, how would they cope when it’s actualised, with the Messiah’s flesh and blood sacrificed before their eyes (John 6:60-62).


Jesus was not overwhelmed by this loss of commitment, having multitudes leave due to what he said. He’s clear about the human’s response and weaknesses in faith. He is unshaken in his confidence that even through these rejections, the Father’s purpose is being fulfilled (John 6:64-65). Jesus then invited the Twelve to clarify their position in v67, and they reaffirmed their loyalty to follow him.


RELATE

This passage expresses the cost of discipleship. We see that Jesus did not speak with the purpose of gaining popularity. He knew what his listeners craved, but did not nuance his narrative to make certain messages more palatable to them, if it means taking away the essence of the truth. These truths were necessary for his listeners’ faith to survive tougher times. As we disciple one another, this is crucial to note.


We should guide according to the spiritual maturity of our listeners, to not stump them, like what Paul did with the Church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:2). But there comes a time when some teachings, though hard, are necessary for our listeners, to prepare them for the impending journey ahead. What accompanies hard teachings, is the reality of losing people. Still, we communicate them, doing right by the people who would follow. Like Jesus, we don’t get rattled, but trust in God’s sovereignty.


Being a true believer will involve going the way of the cross. This is not easy when we see things around us pointing us elsewhere. Though the Twelve professed their loyalty in this passage, they fled when Jesus was arrested. That said, their faith eventually became unshakeable after witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and having the holy spirit come upon them. Their experience shows how difficult it is to have unwavering loyalty when the chips are down. And Jesus warns that nearing the day of the Lord, there will be many things that test our faith.


Among those things, being a true follower will mean remaining true to Jesus

- when he and his words are dismissed, like in today’s passage,

- when his truth is hard to understand and even harder to apply,

- when the realities around us seem to contradict his claims,

- when multitudes turn away from him and we find ourselves part of the persecuted minority,

- when among the company of the “faithful”, we discover the work of the devil in those who, in their life and words, betray the Lord (like in v70-71).


The encouragement is we are not alone as we stand together with others who are loyal and most importantly, Jesus himself remains there with us. But the cost of discipleship is real, and Jesus does not shield us from it. Will we, like the multitudes of “disciples”, also walk away?


REST

Firm Foundation – Selah:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph67dhexGoA


Chris Chong


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