In the midst of the multitude, a shadow is cast, darkening the sky, dimming the light, muting the mood. The hush is audible, and heart rates accelerate for each and every would-be follower. Whatever will he say next? What he says surprises, what he does titillates; what I feel is astounding, and I can't even imagine what will come next from this man.
John 6:65-71
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
The crowd breaks up into twos and threes. Walking toward the exits, they mutter, criticize, and complain. A few of the small groups linger, not sure whether they want to stay, or go. Let's eavesdrop on a duo, two guys that call each other best friend:
Fickle: Well that was disappointing, don't ya think? I mean, I only heard bits and pieces of what Jesus said, something about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, and about some reference to that mana bread stuff from the old book in the bible, when the Israelites got stuck in the dirt dry desert for like, four decades. And then he goes on about his daddy picking some people and not others? What the Sam hills? I liked this guy before, but now, I am thinking things aren't adding up. I wish he had just stuck to the magic miracle stuff, healing, fish feeding folk, wine watering partiers... those were the good old days! Only twelve guys in his crew, and one of them is a bad guy? What kind of odds are these?
Faithful: I don't know... what he said sounded ominous to me, and wasn't it crazy how he was glowing? I could hardly keep my eyes open when I looked his way, in fact, everything was so bright and ahhh, ummm... blindingly brilliant!
Fickle: What are you talking about? It got so dark, like someone snuffed the sun or something. He kept talking and talking and it all sounded like gibberish and nonsense. I thought he was the guy, the one, but I can't stand what he was saying, it was so irritating. What are we still doing standing here? Wanna get a burger?
Faithful: A burger? Really? I think I want to stick around, maybe go to Jesus and ask him some questions.
Fickle: About what? Haven't you heard enough? You're my ride, let's go bud.
Faithful: Here, take my keys, I am not ready to leave. I will Uber home.
Fickle: What the hell is going on? Are you frickin' serious? That guy isn't worth your time. Listen, I'll buy dinner, you pick the place, you feel like Sushi?
Sad realization hits Faithful like a gut punch. A sinking feeling sets in as Faithful looks into the eyes of his almost frantic best friend. Fickle is visibly agitated, and seemingly desperate to leave. It dawns on Faithful how very different, Fickle's experience had been, compared to his own, when hearing The King speak. Faithful felt calm and peaceful, and disconcerted at the same time, when he considered what was happening.
The sound of laughter had Faithful turn his head to the right. A jovial group of ten were enjoying themselves, and he felt irresistibly drawn to them. The pull was so strong, he forgot all about Fickle, until Fickle growled the words, Faithful, are you coming with me, or not?
Faithful: Not, I am not coming with you. I am staying.
Enraged, Fickle's fist shakes close to Faithfuls face. Car keys protrude from between fingers, and with fire in his eyes, Fickle snarls, Here are your damn keys, and hurls them at Faithfuls feet. Faithful looks in the direction of his shoes: some of the keys imbedded themselves in the turf, point down, with the violence of Fickle's throw. Faithful next, looks up, only to find that Fickle is quickly making his way across the field.
There again, is the laughter, and Faithful can't help but look in the direction of the group of ten. There in their midst, stands Jesus, smiling at each one encircling him. Faithful again looks in the direction of the exit Fickle was travelling toward, and he sees his best friend turn back briefly, seemingly waiting for Faithful to follow. For a frozen in time moment, Faithful measures and calculates, the distance and the time it would take to get to Fickle. Faithful concludes quickly: Too much distance, too much time, too much ground to cover, and not enough strength to face the energy requirements. Resolved, Faithful full=body, turns toward Jesus and sees more then ten there, more then twenty, more then fifty... more and more people are joining Jesus, and in the distance, at the exits, throngs are shoving and angrily pushing, to get out as fast as possible.
Training his eyes on Jesus, Faithful grins. With confident strides and a surge of sustaining energy, Faithful makes his way toward the jovial group, gathered and glowing in the presence of The King. With every step, Faithful knows where he is going, what he is doing, who he is going to, and who he is going with.
Faithful takes his place in and amongst the contented. Jesus' voice resonates richly as he speaks in the midst of those gathered all around him, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Jesus looks from one person to the next, and when his eyes meet Faithfuls, their gazes interlock, for what seemed to Faithful, an eternity. Faithful begins to weep, barely comprehending what is happening, his soul soaring heavenward and weightless...
==============
Faithful exchanges numbers with some of his new friends. They agree to meet again soon. Faithful makes his way toward the parking lot, and when he arrives, he sees a piece of paper, folded and trapped on his windshield, pinned there by one of the wipers. Faithful opens the folded paper, and instantly recognizes Fickle's meticulous handwriting.
Fickle: Listen buddy, I don't want this Jesus thing to get between us, okay? I'm going to be at Chuck's, having a beer at the bar. My offer for dinner still stands, meet me here when you are done over there?!
Faithful refolds the note in half, considering Fickle's message. Closing his eyes, Faithful suffers sorrow as loss washes over his soul. Fickle feels so far off, so lost in the landscape, so unreachable now. Chuck's for a burger and beer? Faithful unlocks and enters his car, contemplating what was, what is, and what shall be.
Something shifted, much had changed. Faithful feels immobilized, and remains in place until he feels the chill of the outside sneaking its way into his vehicle and wrapping its coldness around his body. With a shiver, Faithful starts his car and cranks on the heat but still, cannot put himself into drive mode.
How Lord, how do I let go? How do I leave him behind and follow you? Can't he come too? Won't you call him by name Lord? Please, please call him too.
Searching for and finding a tissue, Faithful wipes at his eyes and blows his nose. He wants nothing more than his best friend, to know and love Jesus like he does, but he feels at a loss of what to say to convince and cajole Fickle into believing. Faithful searches his memory, trying to think of some persuasive arguments he had heard over the years that helped him make sense of all the good stuff of Biblical Jesus. What was it that Jesus said, when he spoke to the crowd today? With sudden recall, Faithful feels a chill, despite the warmth in the now fully heated car - Jesus' words come flowing forward in a rush, and Truth simplifies the issue Faithful is facing:
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Jesus' words humble Faithful and he begins sobbing. He knows without a shadow of a doubt that he was given to Jesus by the Father, Jesus' own Father! In earnest, Faithful prays, Lord God, you saved me from myself, and I ask you do the same for my best friend Fickle. Please help me let go of the idea that I can save him or change him, or convince him... he is not mine, he is yours.
These thoughts had Faithful feeling a sense of freedom and relief, knowing that God loves Fickle far more than he ever has or will. Something had indeed shifting, much had certainly changed, and only time would tell what would happen in friendship, between Fickle & Faithful. Recalling his favourite Bible verse, Faithful put his car into drive, and spoke this mystery:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
With hope in his heart, Faithful begins fervent prayer for the salvation of his friend, and he resolves never to stop, until the day God takes him home, to his heavenly abode.
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