Central Lutheran Church - Elk River
Central Lutheran Church - Elk River
Challenging Truths: Embracing the Teachings of Jesus {Reflections}
Imagine standing in a crowd, captivated by a man whose words are as challenging as they are life-altering. That's the scene I explore today as we reflect on a poignant moment in the book of John, where Jesus, instead of pandering to the masses, delivers a message that causes many to walk away. Why would someone choose to remain, even when the teachings are hard to swallow? This episode of the Reflections podcast examines the depth and transformative power of Jesus's teachings, inviting us to consider if true freedom lies in embracing the difficult truths.
Join me, Ryan, as I share why Peter's response to Jesus—"Where else would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life"—resonates so deeply with me. This sentiment encapsulates my own journey of faith and the essence of my role as a pastor. Every Sunday, my mission is to communicate the beauty and wonder of the gospel, sharing stories of hope and restoration. Together, let's explore how these teachings shape our lives and have the potential to transform the world around us.
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What is up everybody? Hey, it's Ryan here, and welcome back to our Reflections podcast. I wanted to share with you guys today why I follow Jesus. There's this great scripture in the book of John where John is talking to all these people. There's a whole crowd of folks gathered, as often would happen. It's like whenever Jesus would gather these huge crowds, like today, we'd be like this is great, let's capitalize on this, let's get them all feedback cards and get them to come back the next time and keep them around and go invite five more friends and bring them back.
Speaker 1:But Jesus doesn't do that. Whenever Jesus gathers a big crowd, he like says things to like to like cut the crowd in half or like get folks to go. It's crazy. He's not that interested in like having these massive crowds and he'll say some hard thing or, uh, you know some kind of difficult teaching or truth, and people leave and he's like doesn't seem bothered by it, but anyway, I love it. So in john 6, there's this moment where he's talking. The crowds are big and they're huge and some folks are there because they want to get fed, because he fed them earlier and anyway, he gives them this, this hard teaching about eating his body and drinking his blood and they're like what are you talking about? And it's a fascinating story. Read it in john 6 towards the end of it. And then then there's this moment where people are like I'm out, this isn't too much.
Speaker 1:And I love that too, because, man, let's be honest, sometimes the teachings of Jesus are, when told properly, they're hard. They're hard pills to swallow. It isn't like Jesus just came to give you a fancy spouse and a nice house and a fancy car and obedient kids. It's not the gospel. In fact, much of the gospels it's hard to swallow. It's hard following Jesus, it's just difficult because it changes everything. But I digress. So he gives them this teaching and they all sort of leave, like peace out of here, I'm out of here, and they walk away, which I've got to imagine.
Speaker 1:I've always felt like for Jesus. I think he must have been at least a little bit grieved inside, like just disappointed, and not because they're idiots and don't get it, but like man, I want to give these folks freedom and they're not quite tracking it, or something like that. I think he would have felt sad because he says this and he turns to those closest to him. You know, the 12, seemingly are right there and he tells them hey, if you want to go, too, you can leave. Like, you can go. And I picture him saying it just like that, like kind of grieved, and also letting them off the hook, like look, for whatever reason you've been following me, if you want out, you can go, you can peace out, I won't be mad at you, you can go.
Speaker 1:And I love Peter's response and this is why I follow Jesus. Peter just turns to him and says he's like hey, I'm paraphrasing. He's like hey, where else would we go? Like what else is left you? And he says you alone have the words of eternal life, and I love that.
Speaker 1:It's like what else would we do? Where else would we go? I've got nothing. If I leave you now, jesus, I've got nothing else in my life. That is like this and the reason I follow jesus is that reason. Like I don't have anything else apart from jesus. If I do, it's like my life would lose meaning and depth and beauty and wonder and all these things.
Speaker 1:It's because to me, the gospel is the most true thing I've ever heard and it resonates deeply within me on every level and in fact, as a pastor my job, me and my friend Corey talk about this all the time. I say my job as a pastor is to get up every single Sunday and say the same thing 10,000 different ways, and my message doesn't change. My message is to preach the gospel, to tell the stories of the people, of God and Jesus and God becoming flesh and the mission and the hope of restoring the whole world. And to do it in 10,000 different ways to hopefully sneak one past the goal here, to catch you when your defenses are down, or to tell in a creative enough way that just inspires or awakens something in you by the Spirit, I'm sure, but that awakens something in you to have you grasp it this time, when maybe you didn't the times before. It reminds me of this wonderful quote by there's this pastor in Colorado, her name is Nadia and she's a Lutheran pastor At one time. She has this pastor in Colorado, her name is Nadia and she's a Lutheran pastor, and one time she has this newsletter that goes out every week.
Speaker 1:And she was asked by somebody one time have you ever almost lost the faith? And what brought you back? And I love this because, look, pastors are people too. Pastors have days where, like man, I just don't know if I feel it 110% today. And I want to. That's you, by the way. I want to. It's okay, like, join the club.
Speaker 1:And this is why church is so beautiful, because there are days when I don't feel like I have enough faith, and I'll rely on my good friend Mike here. Like Mike, can you have faith for me? There are days when I feel depleted of hope and joy and I'm like Mike, I need you to help me, dude, like, can you have joy for me today? And that's the church. But Nadia was asked hey, have you ever almost lost the faith? And what brought you back?
Speaker 1:And here's what she says. She says I almost lose faith every day, gasp. But she says and what brings me back, though, is the same thing each time the gospel. I love it. She loves the gospel. And then she says it's just dressed up differently to trick me into falling in love with it yet again, the unrelenting drumbeat of grace.
Speaker 1:The gospel is and forgiveness. The gospel is just the most true thing I've ever heard in my entire life, and it keeps showing up and making me pay attention to it, even when I would rather fret and doubt and stare at my own navel. I love it, she says I almost lose faith every day at my own navel. I love it, she says I almost lose faith every day. And what brings me back is the same thing each time the gospel, which is just dressed up differently to trick me into falling in love with it yet again, it's the unrelenting drumbeat of grace and forgiveness. The gospel is just the most true thing I've ever heard in my entire life and it keeps showing up and making me pay attention to it, even when I'd rather fret and doubt and stare at my own navel. Yeah, so that's it. That's for me, that's it, that's why I follow Jesus, because where else would I go? What else would I turn to?
Speaker 1:I think Jesus alone has the words of eternal life, and those stories captivate me over and over again. I just love those stories and the gospel itself, this idea of God becoming a human to become like one of us, to rescue and save and renew and redeem us, that we're not alone and that he has come on this rescue mission to welcome us back home. If you have no home, you can have a home in Jesus and this gospel that keeps sneaking back into my life and getting my attention again and again and again. That's why I follow Jesus. All right, love you guys, peace. Hey, if you enjoy this show, I'd love to have you share it with some friends. And don't forget, you are always welcome to join us in person at Central in Elk River at 8.30, which is our liturgical gathering, or at 10 o'clock, our modern gathering, or you can check us out online at clcelkriverorg. Peace.
