August 21, 2020 -- John 6:60-66 -- The Flesh is of no help

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 

J0hn 6:60-66 English Standard Version

The flesh is no help at all those startling words Jesus spoke are as true today as they were when they were first spoken. How do we understand the magnificence of creation? A secular scientist who does not acknowledge the glory and power of God will seek answers to origins with no reference to Him Who Is All-Powerful. Frankly, the flesh is of no help at all. When one is bound up in humanistic ways of thinking their words are of the flesh and lead to death. When one is trying to interpret the splendors of all God has set into motion without reference to God, their ideas are nonsensical.

The flesh is no help at all when one is trying to sort out government regulations with regards to worship. Laws are promulgated which not only curtail freedoms but deny the central requirement Christians have to worship the Living God. It is baffling to me that so many churches are still not open for public worship so that people cannot gather together. We are commanded to gather together. Jesus promised where two or three are gathered, there He is in the middle of that gathering (Matthew 18:20). It seems to me our government, federal and provincial, are running on fear and seeking to control people through fears. The humanistic way of thinking leads to death. We are commanded to gather and worship—the flesh is no help at all when trying to interpret what God demands of His people.

The flesh is no help at all when seeking to understand our times. We are called to turn to Jesus. Notice in the text how many people left off of following Jesus. The way became so difficult. They didn’t sign up for that. It is so in our day as well—this pandemic has separated wheat from chaff—people willing to endure for Jesus Christ. In our land we have a government applauding abortions right up to the ninth month, exporting the violence of abortion and funding it in other lands. Medical assistance in dying is touted as compassionate. While our ethics impaired Prime Minister staggers from one scandal to another know this, the flesh is of no help at all. As one new friend put it to me yesterday, “If the churches aren’t going to be open during these troubled times, there is no point in opening their doors when all is well”.

Jesus proclaimed no one can come to Him unless it is granted by the Father. All across our land may the doors of our churches be thrown wide open so that those who long for the Savior, those who perhaps for the first time in their lives realize the flesh is of no help at all will finally be able to run to Jesus. May these confusing times result in a revival across our land, so the glory of the LORD will cover Canada from sea to sea to shining sea, and people from the various tribes and languages and cultures of this great land will stream together to worship Him!

Mighty Father in Heaven, thank You for the people You have given to Jesus Christ for the glory of His Name and the victorious exclamation of “Amen” on His work. Forgive us, O LORD of All Power, forgive us for our times of cowering in fear and leaving our churches shut up. Forgive us for leaving people at the mercy of a government’s scandalous acts of intimidation in these plague-filled times. Cause Your church to rise in the strength of the Spirit Who gives life in Jesus’ Name. Jesus, our Sure Hope in these bewildering times, gather in Your people by Your Word and Spirit so that we may know the protection of our Father in Heaven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyIR4N5EFt8&list=RDW-U4Rv_d_Ws&index=6