Main Thought
Have you ever heard of a Cost Benefit Analysis? A cost benefit analysis is a process of weighing the costs and benefits of a decision or policy against each other, in order to determine whether or not an opportunity should be pursued. This process is often applied in business and political contexts, but people also apply these principles to pursuing Jesus - whether they realize it or not. Thousands of people were following Jesus by the time the events of John 6 occurred. They benefited from excitement, food, miracles, and more. But they left when they began to understand how much following Jesus would cost. It would cost them their convenience, comfort, and potentially their lives. Why would anyone follow Jesus when the cost is so high? Jesus showed us what happens after we pay the cost and pick up our cross. Resurrection power and victory are available to us! Eternal life and earthly impact await, too. The benefits of following Jesus outweigh the costs in an immeasurable way. With that in mind, we should reject the temptation of fickle faith and become faithful followers of Christ. We’ll experience life in a way that is truly satisfying, impactful, and eternal when we do.
Main Passages
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
- John 6:60-66
67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
- John 6:67-69
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
- John 21:15-19
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?
In what ways might your faith be fickle at times? Why do you think that might be the case?
Are there any changes that you could make (in your words, thoughts, deeds, etc.) to help you follow Jesus more faithfully? How could you being to act on those changes in the next 24-48 hours?