by Dorcas Kulwa | 9 December 2019 08:46 am12
THIS WORD IS HARD – WHO CAN HEAR IT?
We must be prepared to receive the hard words of Christ. His teachings are not always easy to accept, especially when they challenge our natural instincts, desires, or understanding.
Not everything that the Lord spoke was comfortable or convenient. Many of His words were meant to stretch faith, test obedience, and reveal the cost of discipleship.
Consider what He told His disciples:
Matthew 10:37-39 (ESV)
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Here, Christ emphasizes the supreme claim of God on our lives. Loving Him above family, ambitions, or even life itself is not optional for a true disciple. The “cross” symbolizes suffering, sacrifice, and the total surrender of self in following Jesus (see Luke 14:27). At the time, no one could imagine that He Himself would bear the ultimate cross on Calvary, naked and despised. Yet He spoke of it as the path of obedience and life.
In human terms, His words seem extreme, like telling someone today, “If you want to serve in government, carry a live bomb every day and be ready to sacrifice your life at any moment.” It seems absurd—but this is the radical call of Christ.
Theologically, the cross is not only a symbol of suffering but a means of identification with Christ (Philippians 3:10). To take up our cross is to willingly participate in His mission, trusting that loss in the present is gain in the eternal kingdom.
Another challenging teaching comes from the Bread of Life discourse:
John 6:53-56 (ESV)
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.’”
These words startled many. Theologically, Jesus was speaking of spiritual union with Him through faith and, ultimately, the sacrament of Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). To “eat His flesh and drink His blood” is to fully partake in His life, death, and resurrection, not a literal cannibalistic act. Such a statement challenged both Jewish dietary laws and common sense.
John 6:60-63 (ESV)
“Many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’
But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at this, said to them, ‘Does this offend you?
What then if you were to see the Son of Man ascending where He was before?
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’”
Here, Christ explains that His words are Spirit and life, meaning they are not always to be understood in a purely human, literal sense but through the lens of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Even today, the call to follow Him may not come with full explanations immediately. Obedience is required first; understanding comes as we walk with Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The apostles exemplified this principle. When Jesus called them, they were simply told: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). They left everything, obeyed without full understanding, and became the pillars of the Church (Acts 2). Some could not endure the hard words and fell away; others remained steadfast and experienced Pentecost, receiving the Spirit’s empowering presence.
Abraham provides another model of obedience under mystery. He was commanded to offer his son Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-19). Even though the act seemed impossible and extreme, he trusted God’s promise. God honored his faith, and Isaac’s life was preserved—foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, through whom all God’s promises are fulfilled.
Practical application for us today:
When Christ asks us to let go of certain things—relationships, possessions, habits—do not hesitate or overthink. Obedience comes first.
When His instructions seem difficult or unreasonable, trust in His Spirit to guide and sustain you.
Understand that following Jesus may involve temporary loss, suffering, or misunderstanding, but the ultimate gain is eternal life (Luke 9:23-24).
Christ’s words are Spirit and life. They may be hard to hear, but they are true. Accept losing your life for Him today, trusting that in His timing, you will find it forever.
May the Lord Jesus bless you and strengthen your faith in every step of obedience.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/12/09/this-word-is-hard-who-can-hear-it/
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