The Lord Jesus asked the Twelve Disciples, “Will you go away too?” This forlorn question was the result of many other followers of Jesus leaving him.

Why Did They Leave Him?

The setting was the day after the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14; Mark 6:31-52; John 6). The people had followed Jesus to the area of Bethsaida/Capernaum. He charged them with following him, not out of belief in him because of the signs (miracles), but because they had been filled. In other words, they were following for what they could “get out of him.” They wanted fed and healed.

What Do You Want?

People “come” to the Lord for different reasons. A heart-broken wife may hope that her unfaithful mate will become faithful as a result of her “gospel obedience.” Perhaps family problems with rebellious children or interfering relatives are expected to be alleviated. Others seek some kind of notoriety and perhaps material gain. They believe that they will be so welcomed into the body of Christ because of their self-perceived grand talents, that they can “soar to the top” in “the ministry” or find some kind of power structure of which they can become head.

Lonely people may come expecting to overcome longings for companionship and a community.

Sadly, some are suffering physically, and they suppose that obedience will bring them healing.

Hopefully, you and I are of a different caliber. Our hearts ought to be good and honest as described in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:15). This kind of heart understands the word of God, accepts it, is steadfast, and works diligently (Matthew 13:23).

Work Not For That Which Perishes

Jesus taught that pitiful crowd to work for the “food” that does not perish. Then the Lord presented an analogy of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. You have heard the expression, “That guy eats and sleeps sports.” Or “All he thinks about is work.” Such figurative language is frequently used to show the level of commitment one may have to whatever engages him or her.

The Jews were bewildered at the teaching of Jesus. They complained about his claiming to have come down from heaven. He referred to God as His Father. They were slow to comprehend the necessity of “eating his flesh and drinking his blood.” But they finally understood that Jesus was talking about commitment. Because of their lack of faith in him, they forsook him.

As witnesses of the miracles of Jesus, those people should have understood that his signs pointed to the truth of his message. From the outset of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed that he was the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of the coming Messiah (Luke 4:18-30). Their hardness of heart resulted in disbelief.

Jesus urged those people (and us) to make a commitment that consumes us. He must be the Lord and Master of our lives. He must be what we eat and drink. If we do not eat and drink Jesus, he is just “an appetizer” that does not fill us.

What Will You Get?

What are the benefits of eating and drinking Jesus? The question can hardly be answered without first trying to comprehend the mission of his incarnation. G. Campbell Morgan eloquently expresses it:

“The first purpose, the ultimate purpose, the passion of His heart, was the establishment of the law of God, and the creation in men of a character of holiness which should issue in a conduct of righteousness.... He did not come into this world to persuade God to excuse men who are moral failures. He came into the world to establish the law, to make it honourable; to stand in the midst of human history as the severest of all moral teachers, embodying the highest ideal of law, and at all costs insisting upon obedience thereto. In that ultimate triumph of Christ, when He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and in those who have been ransomed and redeemed shall find the fulfillment of His highest purpose.... When His work is done in His own, He will present them to His Father without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, absolutely perfect, with the perfection of His own holiness of character and righteousness of conduct” [The Teaching of Christ, (MCMXIII), Tarrytown, NY, Fleming H. Revell Company, pp. 158-159].

Simply said, the purpose of Jesus was to bring salvation to those who will obey him. Dare we trivialize his mission? A nominal Christian may exclaim, “Oh, yes, I am saved by Jesus,” while clearly demonstrating by her lifestyle that Christ is not central to her life. She fails to appreciate the sacrifices made by the Man of Sorrows.

As our Savior walked this earth, he taught the necessity of obeying him. “...He was forevermore storming the central citadel of human personality, the will; calling men by thunder, and by tears, by clear intellectual statement and emotional appeal, to obedience; claiming that there must be the submission of the will to the truths declared” (Morgan, pp. 173-174).

When we focus upon the goodness of God in sending Christ, and the love and power of the Godhead that worked the plan of redemption throughout the ages; when we contemplate the mission of Christ and his bravery and love, we are moved to a higher level of spirituality. (cf. Wayne Jackson, Reflections on the Goodness of God, http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/reflections_on_the_goodness_of_god)

So what is the answer to: “What do you get?” Simply, you “get” forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life, when you obey the gospel. We must not minimize these blessings. Considering the value of our souls, these ought to suffice (Matthew 16:25-27). But there are “side effects” (blessings) of making the Lord our Master. For example, as we labor under problems, we can be assured of making right decisions if we follow the wisdom of God as it is revealed in the Bible, along with the advice of godly and mature Christian people.

We will be able to make right decisions about jobs, childrearing, tending ailing parents. We will make right decisions about our assembling habits, as well as when and where we take vacations, and how we spend our money. Though God will not override the will of others, we can find the strength and wisdom to cope with unfaithful mates, unruly children, irritating relatives and brethren, and even our own failing health and death, if we look to the inspired word of God so that we can “hear” him.

There is a social structure within the church, the family of God. Lonely people can find respite; especially through ministering to the needs of others.

There is contentment that cannot be found elsewhere. The Lord never promised an easy path, but there is satisfaction and completeness in following him. Absolute commitment is not a part time endeavor. It is not a Sunday morning only—to salve the conscience-—religion. It is a 24/7 eating and drinking of Jesus! The Lord’s call to forsake all to follow Him is not child’s play. It is a commitment that must take control of our lives. It is a commitment that we must renew repeatedly. It is the commitment of working for that which does not “perish” but gives eternal life. As the apostle Paul said, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). For whom are you living?