On hearing it, many of Jesus' disciples said, "This is a hard teaching.  Who can accept it?"  And from this time on many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. - John 6:60,66
 
Jesus declares that his flesh and blood is the bread that comes down from heaven for the sake of the world.  (John 5) For faithful Jews this sort of language was not only blasphemy but just seemed disgusting and wrong.  And so, because they didn't agree they stopped listening and they stopped following.

 

Like those early disciples when things happen around me that I don't agree with I often stop listening as well.  Yet, if I am only able to hear those whom I agree with how then will I allow God to rebuke me, to teach me or to soften my heart in repentance.  God speaks to us in many ways and yet, when we stop listening with those whom we disagree or whom offend then we stop listening for God and when we stop listening for God, we stop following Jesus.

 

After many disgruntled disciples leave, Jesus turns to Peter and says "what are you doing here?  Don't you want to leave as well."  Peter in one of the great confessions of faith cries out "Lord, to whom shall I go?  You have the words of eternal life."

 

May God grant us all the courage and wisdom to listen and stay connected with those whom we disagree and even with those who might offend. As more than one person has pointed out; "Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable."  May we be comforted AND afflicted as God sees our need.  Amen.