Hard Sayings Of Jesus
Some Don't Follow Jesus
Hard Sayings of Jesus
John 8:31-32. Discussion of the meaning of these two verses.
John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The key to understanding these verses may be hidden in a few phrases in these verses.
Jesus is speaking to those "who had believed him." These were those Jews who had heard enough to know/understand he had the authority to say what he had said. They also knew enough to believe him. Jesus then tells them a phrase that would determine whether they would continue as faithful disciples.
True disciples would continue to believe him, even if what he said was disagreeable or not understandable.
That phrase is. "If you hold on to my teaching."
This phrase does not mean to hold to part of his teaching, to most of his teaching, or to hold to what they wanted to believe. It meant to hold to his teaching whether they knew what it meant or even understood what it was for.
An example of some of his followers, his disciples, stopping to follow him is given next.
Some wanted to pick and choose what they believed. I found this previously in John 6:60-71. In John chapter 6, John wrote about some things that were troubling the disciples and hard for them to understand.
Verse 60. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?"
It offended many, and John records what happened in verse 66.
Verse 66. From this time, many of his disciples turned and no longer followed him. 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
Peter spoke up for the twelve, as John related in verses 68 and 69.
Verse 68. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
Because of Peter's statement, God gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Unfortunately, the four gospel books do not hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. They only mention them.
Peter introduced the keys to the kingdom of Heaven to the world when he used them in his teaching (preaching) that converted and added about 3,000 souls to Christ's kingdom. (Acts 2)
Then, in Acts 10, Peter uses the keys to the kingdom of Heaven to admit the first Gentiles into the kingdom of Heaven.
Today, many disciples of Jesus stop following him because they do not believe baptism is for the remission of their sins. When they don't believe baptism is for the forgiveness of a person’s sin, the forgiveness of sin does not take place, and therefore, their sins are not forgiven. They also will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. They have believed a lie and are deceived. These did not hold to Jesus' teaching and, therefore, are not His disciples. They do not know the truth, so they aren't set free from sin.
Sad but true.
11/10/2020
Larry E. Whittington