From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
John 6:66
To say that many of the Jews in Jesus’ day were not receptive to Him would be an understatement. Even though Jesus “had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him” (John 12:37). Sadly, it was prophesied in Isaiah 6:10 and 53:1 that they would fail to believe.
I find it interesting that the Scripture reference for the verse above includes 666, as six is the number of man. How fitting that this verse shows a crucial failure in man to follow Jesus, even by those closest to Him. Though John 6 starts with the amazing miracle of feeding the five thousand and includes Jesus walking on water, it ends with this desertion.
John 12 mentions that many Jews believed, but would not publicly profess their faith. They were afraid of the Pharisees, and rightfully so (12:42). The religious leaders held much sway and were ultimately the ones God allowed to incite the masses and convince the Roman authorities to crucify Jesus.
Before we go casting stones, however, let’s examine ourselves. How often have we abandoned our faith to look good in front of our friends? When have we kept quiet for fear of offending others, even though we know the truth that will set them free?
So I ask you now to stop, pray, and examine your own heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind instances where you had an opportunity to witness and testify, but through fear or doubt, you caved in and symbolically deserted Christ through your silence or even active rebellion. Repent of each act and pledge to represent Him with loving boldness in the future.
Many Jews today are still as lost as their ancestors. Yet, it is estimated that there are over 260 Messianic congregations of various sizes in Israel and perhaps 350,000 Jewish believers worldwide. The number of Jews who believe in “Yeshua Ha Mashiach”, or Jesus the Messiah, has been growing steadily. Pray for revival to grow among the Jewish people.
Despite millennia of persecution, the last 1,900 years of which they have been without a homeland, the Jewish people have miraculously survived as a race and been re-established as a nation. Why? God’s story for them and each of us, though written, is not done yet (Psalm 139:16; Ephesians 1:11). Eternity is at stake, so let’s reach out to the Jew and to the Gentile with fervency!
