Have you ever wondered why believers walk away from Jesus?
John 6:66, in the NKJV, says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.”
This passage of scripture is very troubling to my soul because when I look back over my life and see all the tremendous things the Lord has done, I can’t understand why anyone who has encountered Jesus would have the audacity to turn their back on Him.
Jesus had just performed an incredible miracle: He fed five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish. He walked on water and calmed the sea. Yet, by the time we get to the end of John chapter 6, something happened between His miracle-working powers and the beliefs of the disciples.
While I can’t quite fathom this, God’s word shows us four reasons why this might happen. Together, let’s look at John 6 as a means of awareness so that none of these circumstances fall on your timeline on this earth.
4 Reasons Why People Walk Away From Jesus
- Their Selfish Motives (John 6:26-27)
“ Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.“
John 6:26-27, NKJV
The sad truth of this passage is that Jesus’ followers followed Him simply because they wanted Him to perform miracles, signs, and wonders.
There will come a time in a believer’s life that your motives for following Him become less of what you want from Jesus and more of a desire to be with Him. We must be careful about how we present the Gospel to others. We don’t want to invite them into salvation so Jesus can fix all of their problems; we want people to know that we are sinners and we need His forgiveness.
Selfishness in the Church
Unfortunately, the Church built on the foundation of Christ is filled with selfish people who perceive that life is centered around their wants and wishes. They come to Christ for blessing—a new car, job, or some other provision—and not simply for the life-changing forgiveness that He offers.
Saints, let me remind you that when we accept Christ’s salvation, we do so because He died on the cross for our sins, rose again three days later, and made it possible for us to have a relationship with an Eternal God. This wonderful gift gives us complete access to God, and if He never works another miracle in my life, He is still worthy of all my praise!
Remember that the Gospel should move us from being selfish to selfless.
2. They Want to Perform Miracles (John 6:28-29)
“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’”
John 6:28-29, NKJV
Witnessing miracles in our own lives is pivotal to how we perceive the miracle-working power of God; however, we must remember that everything Jesus accomplished was not of his doing but only that of the Father. So, how can we expect anything different in our skills and abilities?
Some people choose Jesus because they are in pursuit of personally performing miracles to make a name for themselves. But that’s not how it works.
God’s ability is not wrapped up in Abra-Cadabra magic. There is power and healing in His name! When He chooses to do a miracle, it is because of His sovereignty, and all glory and credit belongs to Him.
Being a pastor for well over half of my life, I acknowledge that First Baptist Church of Glenarden is not about John Jenkins. When I pass and go on to my eternal home, this church will continue to keep moving forward. Souls will continue to be saved, lives will continue to turn around, and marriages will continue to heal. Do you know why? Because the work of God isn’t about me, it is always about Him.
And unfortunately, until you come to that place of understanding, God will never be able to use you.
3. They Wanted a Sign (John 6:30-33)
“Therefore they said to Him, ‘What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe you? What work will You do? Our fathers at the manna in the desert; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’”
John 6:30-33, NKJV
Jesus’ followers were so adamant about witnessing signs and wonders that his response revealed how Jesus felt about actions. In Matthew 16:4, Jesus says, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
Those who seek only performance, He calls wicked.
Now, I don’t know about you, but my faith doesn’t require a sign. However, in God’s goodness and grace, He gave me one anyway: when Jesus came out of the grave, He showed us that He is alive and well!
Far too often, people will question me. “How can you be sure that actually happened?” Well, my answer is this: I have been to Israel, and they walked me to His grave, and guess what? He wasn’t there! Furthermore, my confidence rests in the truth that I once was held captive in the grave of my sin, and Jesus reached in and gave me a new heart. I once was dead, but now I am alive!
The fact that He changed my life is the only sign I need. There are no other miracles, works, or deeds; He has already done enough.
4. They Failed to Understand His Theology (John 6:41-42)
“The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven.’ And they said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, “I have come down from heaven”?’”
“The Jesus therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’
“’But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one came come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’”
John 6:41-42, 52 & 64-65, NKJV
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus makes statements His disciples didn’t understand.
As a pastor, one of my passions is to take the words of the Gospel and make them as simple as possible so those listening can understand why we serve Jesus the way we do. If you attend a simple, Gospel-preaching church and still don’t understand what is being taught, perhaps ask yourself if you genuinely want to understand.
At FBCG, we offer class upon class, preach in a simple manner, and are open and willing to hear each one of your questions. But we cannot help if you don’t choose to seek a better understanding.
Church, don’t let the enemy convince you that you don’t need to walk with Jesus. Keep your selfish motives in check, remember the faithfulness God has smeared your life with, and seek greater understanding from the resources that are available to you.
Keep walking with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and your life will flourish.
For more on suffering, check our Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr.’s sermon: Reasons Why People Walk Away From Jesus.
