Those who attend a small church know the feeling. When a new family visits, the regular attenders are happy to welcome them to the church service. They are happy to see others who are seeking the Lord and hope that they stay longer than one service. That often depends on what the visitors are looking for. A small church can provide a family-like atmosphere, close friendships, and easy access to the pastor. However, some visitors are looking for what a larger church can provide. They want a youth group for the kids, classes dedicated to young couples, and programs that a smaller church can’t provide. So, when the visitors come, the small church is cautiously optimistic while realizing the possibility that they might not be able to compete with what a larger church can offer.
But there is another component that must be added to the situation. Regardless of the size of the church, there are other things that affect whether a visitor will stay. As Jesus mentioned in the Parable of the Soils (Matt. 13:18-23), three out of four seeds never take root. When God’s truth is spoken, those who hear it are affected by Satan’s influence, persecution, and worldliness. When the pastor preaches to the people, he is not just fighting for one person’s attention, he is fighting against these others influences as well. As a result of these influences, the chances of reaching people is diminished quite a bit. While we are called to continue preaching the truth regardless of the results, there is still the question as to whether a visiting family will ever come back.
- What does it say?
Jesus had just told the people to eat his flesh and blood to gain eternal life. This proved to be a very difficult statement to accept. Many of His disciples complained that this was too difficult to understand. In response, Jesus asked them if they were offended by what He said. He asked what they would do if they saw Him ascend up to heaven. He stated that it was the Spirit who would give them life and that the flesh would not profit them. He concluded that the words He spoke were spirit and life to them, but that some did not believe. He knew from the beginning who would not believe and who would betray Him. He also told them that nobody could come to Him unless it was granted by the Father. At that point, many of His disciples stopped following Jesus. Then Jesus asked the Twelve if they also wanted to leave. Peter asked the Lord where they would go since He had the words of eternal life. He and the others had also been convinced that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus asked whether He had chosen the twelve and that one of them was a devil. He was talking about Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was one of the Twelve, but who would later betray Him. - What does it mean?
Some people will leave when it becomes difficult (John 6:60-66).
When Jesus spoke about His flesh and blood being meat and drink for the people, it caused a commotion. As you can imagine, there were some who took Him literally and could not understand His figure of speech. To them, Jesus sounded like he was calling them to become cannibals. Did He want them to literally eat His body and blood? No, Jesus was using a figure of speech to show that they would find eternal life by completely trusting in Him. He was all that they needed. But many of His disciples could not understand this.
Jesus noted that they were offended by what He had said. But He also saw that they were not ready to receive His teaching. The Spirit had to work in their hearts despite them being Jewish people. While He was speaking to them exactly what they needed—spiritual help and life—He knew that some would not believe because they had not been given to him by the Father. Without the Father drawing them to Jesus, they never would believe. Sadly, many of His disciples chose to stop being His disciples.
Once again, we see that some left when it became difficult. Why did this happen? The problem was not Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ words were filled with spirit and life for all who would believe. Even though some were impressed with Jesus’ ability to communicate, they did not believe. The first reason was that they chose not to believe Him. No matter how persuasive His arguments had been, these people made the choice not to believe. The second reason was that the Father had not granted these people to Jesus. Because the Father was not drawing them to Jesus at this time, they could not come to Him. So, many of them left without believing.
Some people will stay when they find the truth (John 6:67-71).
With so many of His disciples leaving, it was no surprise that Jesus asked whether the Twelve would also leave. Peter made it clear that they would not be leaving. What other teacher could tell them about eternal life? Jesus had repeatedly talked about eternal life (John 3:15-16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47, 54). Eternal life was available to all who believed in Him. As the disciples listened to what He said, they were convinced that they could have eternal life through faith in Him. Where else could they find that? It certainly wasn’t available through the traditions and practices of the religious leaders in the temple.
But Peter did more than talk about eternal life. The disciples had also come to the conclusion that Jesus was who He said He was. He was the Christ and the Son of the living God. First, they saw Him as the promised Christ or Messiah. This was the One whom God had promised to send to deliver the Israelites from their physical and spiritual bondage. While many were focused on the physical part, Jesus was at that point offering them the spiritual part to all who would believe. Second, they saw Him as the Son of the living God. As they saw Jesus miraculously heal the sick, walk on water, and feed the multitude, they realized that this was no ordinary man. He was the Son of God.
Some chose to stay with Jesus because they believed Him. Those who stayed were convinced by His words and actions that He was speaking the truth. As a result, their perspective and lives were changed. Instead of being offended by what He said, they trusted that He was telling the truth that would grant them eternal life. Also, those who stayed were there as a result of the Father drawing them. In the previous verses, we saw that some had not been drawn by the Father. But these proved to be those who had been drawn to Jesus by the Father. Those whom the Father draws to Jesus will come to Him and trust in Him. - How does it apply?
Should we expect the worst?
One of the difficult truths in Scripture is that most people will not respond positively to the Lord. Jesus taught that many people travel the broad way to destruction, while few walk the narrow way to life. We are also told that in the latter days, people will love themselves and turn from the truth. And, if the response to Jesus is any indication, not many will believe. If many people rejected Jesus in person, how can we expect to make a difference with much weaker abilities? This is simply the reality of our spiritual warfare. Many will choose not to believe, to follow Jesus, or to be a part of our church.
Should we hope for the best?
While the unbelief of the majority is a reality, God has chosen to work in the hearts of people. You can see it all the way through the Scriptures. There has always been a remnant of people who chose to believe and follow the Lord. But do you know why? Was it because of a powerful preacher or the example of a godly believer? While these may have been used by God in some way, the answer is something even more powerful. Look back to John 6:65. It is God who makes the difference and brings us hope for success. He does draw people to Jesus. Think of Nicodemus, the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, and the demoniac of Gadera. God drew these people to Jesus and their lives were changed. With that in mind, we have good reason to be filled with hope.
Conclusion
When someone visits our church and doesn’t return, there may be some practical reasons. Poor preaching, insincerity, and a lack of zeal can turn people away to other churches where these things are not an issue. It there are practical reasons that are keeping people from attending our church, we should prayerfully address our part of the problem. However, as we consider our part of the solution, we must realize that there are some things that we cannot change. We cannot change people’s hearts. Only God can do that. We cannot make people like us. They must make that choice for themselves. When someone visits our church, be sure to be kind and welcoming. But we must also pray that God will move in each heart and draw people to Jesus. When that happens, we will praise Him for what He has done.