Devotional Reading: John 6: 60-71 .  Morning Psalm 43; Evening Psalm 31

Text: when many of His disciples heard it (“It” being what Jesus just said),  they said, “This is a difficult teaching; who can accept it (or embrace it)? (v. 60)

I’ve been trying to play a musical instrument instrument for years. Sometimes I make amazing progress. At other times I don’t. Over the years I have come to realize something shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone who has master an instrument. Proficiency takes discipline.

At the very heart of Christian discipleship is the word “discipline”. Following Jesus is not easy. He never said that it would be.  It is counter-cultural. It is revolutionary. It upsets the satisfied status-quo. It takes conscious effort and discipline. It takes a community of faith to encourage and challenge us, to feed and care for us. After all, WE are the Body of Christ here on earth and that doesn’t come easy.

To their credit the disciples who first heard Jesus’ words in John’s gospel wondered if they were up to the task. Left to their own devices, they weren’t. Neither are we. But here’s the good news, in our journey of life and faith, we are not alone. He is with us, leading the way, showing us the Way to the Cross and beyond.

Lord, Your Way is hard. Give us a will for discipline. We do not pray for easy lives, but that You make us stronger. We do not pray for tasks no greater than our power,  but power equal to the tasks before us. We know that we can do all things through the One who strengthens us. Amen.