Lent Day 18: What kind of disciple are you?

Are you the kind of person who sees things through? Who clings to God when things get tough?

Or do you run away at the first sight of trouble or confusion?
Jesus has both kinds of followers. When he explains that he is the one the Father has sent to bring salvation, he uses metaphors and parables. One of these is particularly hard for his disciples to swallow. Jesus says to them:

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live for ever.’ ...

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life.

Yet there are some of you who do not believe.’For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.’

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

> Maybe you've felt abandoned by people you trusted. Jesus knows what that's like. Scripture affirms that he was tested in every way you are tested.

> Losing the trust of those who admired you and hung on your every word? Seeing their backs turned against you when they have just praised God for the miracles and accomplishments God has done through you? Jesus understands how that feels because it happens to him, too.

> He asks his core group if they will be faithful. He asks if they will stick with him as he lives out the grueling plans of God. Here's what happens:

‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.’

Then Jesus replied, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) [ John 6:57-61]

> One of his disciples knows there's no better place, no better person to follow. Simon Peter can lead the early believers because he learns who Jesus is as his mentor and rabbi. He comes to know who he believes in - by sticking close to Jesus.
> Yet even in that small group of 12 disciples, one is untrustworthy. One will betray him to death.

> When times get tough and Jesus asks you the same question, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" ...  how will you respond?

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