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At one time, as recorded in John 6:60-65, the disciples of Jesus complained that what Jesus was teaching was “hard sayings.” Jesus knew that they were complaining, and He asked them, “Does this offend you?” He then said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” 

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (John 6:67-19). 

While expressing the conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Peter also recognized that Jesus is the One Who has the words of eternal life. In another passage Jesus states, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” 

Just a few quick notes gleaned from these passages: 

1. Some of the teachings of the scriptures are indeed “hard sayings”. However, the word does not change to make it easier or less “offensive” to the hearer. Notice Jesus did not apologize for the hard sayings.
2. Jesus’ word is the avenue through which we find salvation. The angel told Cornelius in Acts 11, “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and your household will be saved.”
3. The words of Jesus revealed through the pages of the New Testament will be the standard by which we are judged.

Let us approach the cross of Jesus with a determination to listen to Jesus’ words. That is the only way to heaven!

Dean Kelly is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.