“He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.’ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:65-66)
After Jesus shared about eating His flesh and drinking His blood many of His followers began to waver. They weren’t sure about Him anymore. Their enthusiasm had been replaced by doubt. The one thing that would be essential to the followers of Jesus, celebrating Holy Communion, became the stumbling block for these. It is the same today for many. It is only through the drawing power of the Father that we can get past, or rather understand, Jesus’ words about His flesh and blood. And once that happens, Holy Communion becomes a celebration of Thanksgiving for all Jesus has done.
We find it hard to believe that anyone, after meeting Jesus, would stop following Him. Yet, even today there are those who only look for outward signs of Jesus, positive or negative, and miss who He really is. He has not changed. He is still the Son of God and still people cannot see this from the things He might do. This is an ever-present reminder that all the signs or miracles in the world will not bring a person to trust Jesus. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father. We must be enabled to believe by the Father’s directive. And in our belief and trust in Jesus, we give Him thanks!
Heavenly Father, the power You wield to bring us to faith in Jesus is awesome. You touch our hearts and minds with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. You give us a new birth from above that will last for eternity. And we celebrate Your gift to us through Holy Communion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
