Some Refused to Listen

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^e and life. 64Yet 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. 65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

70Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

Thoughts: The Pharisees had rejected his teaching about his ability to give life and his being the way to that life.  This was the first of many times people rejected him openly.  Jesus already knew that Judas would betray Him and he made an inference to this devilish betrayal here (vss. 64, 70).  Jesus knew people would reject Him and this rejection and the cross was a major part of His calling from the beginning.  Jesus did not let rejection keep Him from answering His calling.
    Our call is not to take a poll as to what people think or whether people think we are doing the right thing.  If our Lord was rejected, we should not be surprised if people reject us for our faith in Him.  Just as Jesus set his face toward the cross, so we should seek to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. 

Prayer: Lord, let me follow you with focus and courage.  Thank you that you faced your cross.  Help me to follow in your steps.