Disciples Abandon Jesus

(Gospel of John 6:60 - 6:71)

Hearing Jesus’ sermon, many of his disciples complained, "These teachings are hard to swallow!  And who wants to listen to such things?"

Aware that his disciples were becoming disgruntled, Jesus spoke to them, "Do you find my teachings unbelievable?  How then will you react when you see the Son of Man re-ascending to Heaven? ... It is the spirit that creates life; the flesh is powerless to do so.  The message I have given you is of the spirit and of life.  But there are those among you who do not believe it."

(Jesus knew from the start what disciples believed him and who did not and who was the one who would betray him.)

He added, "That is why I have told you that no one has come to me unless he has been granted leave to do so by my Father."

At this point many of his disciples turned away from Jesus and no longer followed him.  Jesus addressed the twelve who remained and asked them, "Are you going to leave me as well?"

Simon-Peter answered for them, "Master, to whom would we go?  You have the message of life everlasting.  We have come to believe in you and to know that you are the Christ, the Son of the eternal God."

Jesus declared, "Did I not choose the twelve of you -- even though one of you will be an adversary?”  (Jesus was referring to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, who, though he was one of the Twelve Apostles, would betray him.)

Notes
1.   It can hardly be surprising that many of those following Jesus would eventually choose to abandon him, especially after the impact of the miracles he performs wears off.  Other evangelists, even prophets did not claim to be the Son of God, a divinity who will raise the dead, judge mankind, and bestow eternal life on those who please him.  It would have been a little too much to accept even of a miracle maker.  Owing to his claims, it is likely that most people, even those receptive to his message, would have regarded Jesus as an arrogant crackpot, even a lunatic, or else a preposterous fraud, a confidence man of the grandest pretensions.  But, according to the text, the reason most of his followers desert him is that his message is difficult to comprehend and believe.

2.  Those still following Jesus are the Twelve Apostles, not all of whom have yet been named in this Gospel.  On the positive side, this culling of the herd allowed Jesus to have an entourage of manageable size and, as a teacher, a smaller class size.  Did Jesus purposely drive away most of his disciples so that only a core of loyal followers remained? 

3.  Simon-Peter, who apparently is taking a leadership position among the apostles, speaks for them and gives Jesus an explanation for why they are staying with him.  Basically, he tells Jesus that he is the real deal and that he is the only one from whom they can receive everlasting life.  What he does not say is revealing.  He does not say he wishes to be a disciple of Jesus so that he can preach his message, bring in believers, and save their souls.  He does not express any admiration for Jesus as a master or that he is motivated to serve him and stay with him out of love and loyalty.  It's as of the apostles are remaining with Jesus only for what they can get out of it.

4.  Jesus has foreknowledge of who of his disciples will stay and who will leave.  Also he knows that one of the Twelve Apostles is a ringer who will later betray him.  If he knows this, why does he accept as his disciple the traitor (Judas).  He seems to be setting up his own betrayal as a part of the passion play he is performing in; he has already selected Judas to play a particular role in it.  Why Jesus needs to have one of his apostles betray him and why that betrayal, which, in the end, amounts to practically nothing, seems requisite to his ultimate crucifixion is anyone's guess.

5.  Almost all translations call Judas a “devil.”   This is incorrect; the Hebrew word should be translated “Satan,” which is, only in a modern context, the same thing.  The original meaning of Satan is someone, not necessary a spirit being, who is an adversary, an antagonist, someone who opposes your interests.  Judas is not Satan or the Devil, as we define it, but only someone who will work against Jesus.