John 6:64

With a twinge of melancholy Jesus says, “In spite of all I have told you today, there are some of you here who still do not believe.” Jesus had known from the very start who were the ones who did not believe and which one would betray him. John 6:64 EFP

Jesus has reached the end of his discourse. He has tried everything to bring these people to the point of belief. He loves them. He wants to reach them. He also wants to challenge them to experience the life he offers without limitations. It all boils down to believing or not—accepting the reality of his claims or rejecting them as the ravings of a megalomaniac. The choice is their (and mine) to make.

But in a sudden and solemn moment, the reality strikes. The truth is that in spite of Jesus’ efforts on behalf of the people, he concedes that some of them are already predisposed to reject him. Nothing he could say would convince them of who he is or what he has to offer. Worse than rejecting him, there are those who would actively persecute, oppose, and in some cases betray him. This means that some who at one time were associated with him, perhaps even claimed some level of affinity or allegiance to him. This thought must have bruised Jesus’ heart.

It causes me reason to ponder as well. What would it take to turn me against my Master? What would cause me to betray him? I say “nothing” today, but I imagine there were not many there that day who thought they would betray in the end. I must believe.