Day 4: Saturday

            Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"  John 6:67

           One day, when Alice was walking along, she came to a fork in the road.  While she was pondering where to go, she saw the Cheshire Cat in a tree.  Alice said, “Which path should I take?”  The Cheshire Cat said, “That depends on where you want to go.”  Alice said, “I don’t quite know where I want to go.”  The Cheshire Cat said, “Then it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

            If you don’t know where you’re going, any path will get you there.  But if you do know where you’re going, then the path you take becomes very important.  Not all paths lead to the same destination.  But if you know your destination, then the path becomes very important.

            By the 6^th chapter of John, opposition to Jesus had begun to escalate.  Instead of just being a nice miracle worker and healer, Jesus started to talk about sacrifice.  He began to talk about “the hour” of his death.  And then he said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”  (John 6:56)

            That was a challenge to the disciples.  They were at a turning point; a fork in the road.  Many of the disciples didn’t know if they wanted to go where Jesus was leading.  And so they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”  (John 6:60).  Their temptation was to go away and become discipleship dropouts.  Something was starting to happen that they didn’t like.  Jesus was starting down a path that they were pretty sure they didn’t want to go down.

            Have you ever felt like you are totally committed to following Jesus?  Or totally committed to 82 percent?  Or committed at least up to a certain point?  Have you experienced discipleship dropout or burnout in following Jesus?  And if you have, are you still away?  Have you found anything more fulfilling?  Or are you on a long-term break from faith, from church, or from following Jesus because it’s gotten too difficult or is too unfulfilling?

            Do you wish to go away?  That’s what Jesus asked the twelve.  And Peter replied, “Lord, to whom can we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”  (John 6:68-69)

            It matters a great deal which path you take.  Today Jesus invites you to take his path, and not go away. 

Questions to Ponder

•  Have you ever been lost?  Really lost?  How did that feel?  What were the circumstances?
• Assuming you finally found your way, how did that feel?  What did you learn from that experience of taking the wrong path?
• Do you feel that your walk with Jesus is going well?  Why or why not?

Prayer for Today:  Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.