Finding Confidence in Setbacks with Jesus

Maintaining confidence in our faith amidst rejection and apostasy can be a difficult challenge. Here are three ways to remain confident even in the setback: expecting offense, understanding the behind-the-scenes process of belief, and recognizing that God has a divine plan. While social pressure can erode personal conviction, true belief stems from spiritual understanding, granted by God, rather than physical perception or human effort, such that even betrayal is part of a larger, divinely orchestrated design.

Introduction: The Disciples' Crisis of Faith

In John 6:60-71, Jesus' disciples face a massive exodus. One by one, followers started leaving. This can make anyone question their belief. Did I pursue truth? Is this really from God? Your confidence might start to fade. Have you ever experienced something like this? Maybe a friend group drifted away when they learned you were a follower of Jesus. Your trusted circle might have shrunk. Many of us have probably felt this kind of rejection when trying to live faithfully.

Preview of Confidence in Crisis

Jesus understood this struggle. He offered three ways to stay confident when facing setbacks. We’ll explore these crucial lessons today.

Understanding the "Hard Saying" and the Offense

The Challenge of Jesus' Teaching

In John chapter 6, Jesus shared some tough teachings. He spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. He spoke of having life in Him by abiding in Him. He talked about how the only way to truly live was through Him. This was a difficult concept for his disciples. Many found it hard to accept. They grumbled, asking, "Who can listen to this?"

Conceptual, Agreement, and Gladness: Layers of Rejection

Why is biblical teaching sometimes hard to swallow? There are a few reasons. First, it might be hard to grasp the idea itself. Jesus wasn't talking about literally eating his body and drinking His blood. He meant a spiritual connection, abiding in Him. Second, you might understand the concept but disagree that it is actually true. You might think, "I understand that the Bible teaches that God requires perfection, but I think trying my best is good enough." Finally, you might understand and agree, but simply not like it. You might wish it weren't true.

Counterintuitive Biblical Truths

Scripture often presents ideas that seem backward. Consider these: The way down is the way up. To be low is to be high. A contrite heart is a healed heart. To have nothing is to possess all. To bear the cross is to wear the crown. To give is to receive. The valley is the place of vision. These are challenging truths. They can be hard for us to grasp at first.

Expecting the Offense: A Foundation for Confidence

Normalizing Rejection and Offense

Jesus himself is called a "rock of offense" and a "stumbling stone." The Bible says that His message is foolishness to those who are perishing. It's not understood by what the Bible calls natural people - people who do not have the Spirit of God dwelling within them, people who are spiritually dead. They can't grasp spiritual things. When people reject Jesus or His teachings, even if you are the one saying or living them out, they're ultimately reacting to Him, not you, and it is normal for this to happen.

The Asch Line Experiment: The Power of Conformity

Think about the Asch line experiment, so named after its inventor Solomon Asch. In this experiment, a group of people are shown a line of a certain length drawn on a board and asked to match it with one of three others. One by one they come forward, and one by one they each choose the same matching line saying that it was obvious which line was the correct matching one. The last person in line comes forward, and unbeknownst to him/her, they are the only real contestant in the game. All the other people are plants who have been instructed to choose the wrong answer with confidence. So by the time the last participant comes forward, their confidence in what they thought they believed is shaken. As the experiment was conducted over and over, it revealed that most of the real participants conformed to the wrong answer given by the others. They doubted what they thought they knew was true. This shows how social pressure can sway our confidence. In John 6:60-71, when many disciples left, it would have been tempting for the remaining ones to doubt.

Offended at Truth

The disciples who heard Jesus teach that they had no life unless they partook of Jesus flesh and blood were offended at Him. They didn't like what they heard. It was a hard teaching. Many of Jesus' teachings are hard, difficult to live out, go against cultural values, or point out our sin. Yet, knowing this, can help us to remain confident.

Actionable Tip: Prepare for Resistance

When you live faithfully, expect some people to be offended. They might reject you or your beliefs. Don't be surprised when this happens. Expecting it helps you keep your confidence.

The Spirit Gives Life: Understanding the Source of True Belief

"I'll Believe It When I See It" - A Misconception

Many people say, "I'll believe it when I see it." Jesus asked his disciples if they thought seeing Jesus ascend into heaven with their physical eyes would make them believe. But Jesus explained that physical sight isn't enough.

Spiritual Eyes: The Necessity of the Spirit

Jesus stated, "It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is no help at all." True belief requires spiritual eyes. You need spiritual understanding. The natural person doesn't accept spiritual truths (1 Cor 2:14). They are foolishness to them. Spiritual life is crucial for seeing - for understanding and accepting and rejoicing.

The Trinity at Work: Father, Son, and Spirit

Jesus connects His words, the spirit, and life. His words are spirit and life. They are the means by which spiritual life comes. This isn't automatic for everyone who hears. God the Father grants life through the Spirit, using His Word. Just like how a watchmaker showing you how a watch works gives you more confidence that a watch is a device that can tell you the time of day, seeing the inner workings of the process of belief can give you confidence in what you have believed.

The Process of Belief: God's Sovereign Grace and Human Response

Jesus Knew Who Would Betray Him, Yet He Preached to All

Jesus knew from the start who would believe and who would betray Him. Yet, He didn't just preach to those who He knew would believe. He shared His message with everyone. This shows the magnitude of God's love. It includes even His enemies. God's love is magnified by the fact that it extends to those who are against Him, and is not just reserved for those who are favorable toward Him. This also reveals that God values relationships more than just tasks. People, made in the image of God, are more important than what you can get them to do. Yet, Jesus teaches that belief in Him must be granted by the Father.

Faith as a Gift: "No One Can Come to Me Unless It Is Granted Him by the Father"

Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father grants it. Coming to Jesus means accepting Him. This requires faith. The Bible says faith is a gift from God. We are saved by grace through faith. This is not from ourselves so that no one may boast. The reason why some people come to Jesus and other people don't is ultimately because of the Father's granting it. Understanding the process of belief, that the Father grants people to come through the Word by the Spirit helps us to remain confident in our belief because it explains why people reject Jesus and it also explains how people accept Jesus. It gives us a behind the scenes, backstage pass to look at the process that takes place in a person's heart in coming to Jesus by faith.

Actionable Tip: Trust the Divine Process

Trust that God is working to bring people to Himself. We plant seeds and water them. We plead with people, we pray for people. But God brings the growth, God brings life out of death. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Trust God's sovereign plan.

Peter's Steadfastness: The Response of True Discipleship

"Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?"

After many disciples left, Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Peter's answer was powerful. "Lord, to whom shall we go?" he asked. "You have the words of eternal life."

The Words of Eternal Life

Peter recognized Jesus as the unique source of eternal life. He saw Jesus as the Holy One of God. Those with spiritual life have spiritual eyes to see Christ's beauty. They know there is no other path. Jesus’ words are their anchor.

Actionable Tip: Anchor Your Faith in Jesus' Words

When doubt creeps in, return to Jesus’ teachings. Remember His unique place as the source of truth and life. His words are your foundation. They will keep you steady when others leave.

Jesus' Divine Design: Confidence in God's Plan

The Betrayal of Judas: A Designed Event

Jesus told the twelve, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" He knew Judas would betray him. Yet, Jesus chose him to be among the twelve. This shows God’s grand design involving huge setbacks.

"He Has It All Planned Out"

Jesus planned for Judas' betrayal from the beginning. He included him in the inner circle. This might seem strange. But it means even betrayal fits into His perfect plan. Yet, Jesus didn't tell the disciples who it was that was going to betray them. But that's just the information that we would want to know. If we knew who this devil was, we could kick him out of the circle of trust. But Jesus doesn't reveal that information to them, because He chose Judas for the very purpose of betrayal. We can be tempted to think that we need all the right information so that we can avoid the pitfalls of life. But the reality is, we don't need to know. Think of an African safari. There are many dangers to avoid: the quicksand, the tiger's dens, the venomous snake holes. But we don't need to know where those things are. We just need a guide who does. You don't need to know every danger. You just need to trust the guide who knows them all and leads you through them. Jesus is that guide.

Actionable Tip: Trust in God's Detailed Knowledge

Jesus knows all the future details. He knows the challenges ahead. You don't need to understand every single event. Trust the One who does. He has a plan for everything.

Conclusion: Remaining Confident in the Setbacks

Recap of Key Principles

Jesus helps us stay confident in setbacks. He reminds us to expect offense. He shows us why and how people accept or reject Him and His teaching. And He affirms that He has it all planned out.

The Invitation to Gladness in Truth

While it’s important to understand Jesus’ words and agree that they are true, finding gladness, delight, joy in those truths is what most sets apart true believers from those who turn back. Satan understands who Jesus is and what he teaches, and he agrees that those things are true, but he does not enjoy them. He is not happy about it. Only the one to whom the Father has granted spiritual sight, spiritual life, by the Spirit, through the Word is joyful that Jesus is who He is says He is. Pray for an increased joy and delight in Him.

Final Encouragement

Even when many reject Jesus, when they are offended at His teachings, or betrayal occurs, true confidence is found in Jesus. Abide in Him and His eternal words. He is your constant strength.