The Living Word
Today's Scripture: John 6:60-69
Today's Insights:
In this pivotal moment in John's Gospel, we witness a dramatic turning point in Jesus' ministry. After delivering His bold declaration about being the bread of life, many disciples found themselves at a crossroads. The metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (v. 53) wasn't just difficult teaching – it shattered their preconceptions about the Messiah. When Jesus responded to their confusion by emphasizing the spiritual nature of His words (v. 63), He highlighted a profound truth: genuine faith requires divine enablement (v. 65).
Yet beneath this challenging discourse lies a remarkable promise. Each reference to "life" in this passage builds upon the previous one, creating a crescendo of hope. Jesus presents Himself as the source of true sustenance, offering His body "for the life of the world" (v. 51). Those who embrace this spiritual reality through faith receive more than temporary nourishment – they're promised eternal life and resurrection (v. 54). While many walked away, Peter's response captures the essence of discipleship: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (v. 68).
Today's Devotional:
Recently, I discovered my grandmother's Bible tucked away in an old cedar chest. Its faded red leather cover had grown soft with use, and pressed between its pages were snippets of her life – a dried flower, handwritten prayer requests, and bulletins from church services long past. But what caught my attention were the countless verses underlined in shaky blue ink, each marking moments where heaven seemed to touch earth in her daily reading.
Taking this treasure to be rebound, I met an elderly craftsman who handled it with unexpected reverence. "In forty years of binding books," he told me, "I've never seen one so thoroughly loved." His observation led to a deep conversation about why these particular pages held such meaning. Unlike other books that simply inform or entertain, Scripture pulses with divine life, carrying the very breath of God through generations.
These aren't mere words on paper – they're the same living truth that caused Peter to stay when others left, that sustained martyrs through flames, and that continues to transform lives today. When Jesus spoke of His words being "spirit and life" (v. 63), He was describing exactly what my grandmother had discovered: Scripture has power to nurture, challenge, comfort, and ultimately bring us into deeper communion with God Himself.
Like those first disciples, we too face moments when God's truth challenges our comfortable assumptions. Yet those who persist, like my grandmother, discover that these words become more precious with each passing year – not because they change, but because they change us.
Reflect & Pray:
When was the last time God's Word challenged your assumptions or comforted your heart? How might treating Scripture as "the words of eternal life" change your daily reading?
Take a moment to thank God for preserving His Word through generations, and ask Him to give you fresh hunger for its truth today.