Let’s talk a little tonight about “stumbling blocks.”
The reason I say that – is because of the Greek word used in our Gospel text for tonight.
Jesus said, “Does this offend you?”
Well it turns out – that the Greek word “to offend someone” can also mean hindrance, scandal or a stumbling block.
Certainly for some, Jesus’ words were a hindrance, they prevented them from following him any further.
His words for some were also scandalous…”Eat my flesh, drink my blood” they could not fathom what he was getting at.
And at the very same time, these self-same words were a “stumbling block.”
Various teachings, miracles and stories of Jesus became stumbling blocks for all kinds of people. People got “tripped up” on this or that teaching of Jesus. He was becoming known for his “hard sayings”…especially in John’s Gospel.
His words or his teaching about “eating his flesh and drinking his blood” offended greatly these “would-be-followers.” For the “wannabe’s” his words were really truly distasteful and offensive.
For all intents and purposes they were “road blocks” to people’s individual lives of faith.
They stumbled and fell and tripped over some of his words…so much so, that they could not follow him any longer. These words were for some seemed scandalous.
What we know to be true is this: In Biblical times, people daily walked on dirt paths. That was the way – by which most people traveled.
It was not unusual to find “road apples” in the paths from the numerous animals that used the path ways-as-well.
The roads were dusty and dirty and hot under the Mediterranean sun. That’s why foot-washing was such a big thing…
God only knew-what you were stepping on…and into… EWWWW
It was only the primary Roman roads -that were made of stone and rock for their armies.
It was the “common dirt paths” that led from house to house or village to village.
So people had plenty of experience stumbling on rocks, especially at dusk or at night, when people walked without the light of the sun.
Tripping, falling, stumbling was all par for the course. You had to watch where you were walking. A rock did not have to be very big to make you trip over it…
Rocks on the roads, rocks on the paths, bare-footed or with sandals it didn’t matter much. One could trip and fall easily enough.
It seemed like with each and every rain, “new rocks” would rise to the surface.
There are also rocks aplenty in this life and we seem to hit them all the time.
Obstacles, drama, hindrances, dreadful disasters, horrific happenings and terrible tragedies…sometimes it is like they lie in wait for us around the very next corner. Again, watch where you walk!
I think of little tiny rocks, big rocks and humongous rocks and boulders….I’m thinking some of the roadblocks in this life are bigger than others…but then, you might not agree…
Some things hit us emotionally, while other things hit us physically or spiritually or in the wallet. It is always something!
Remember “Rocky Road” is not just an ice cream flavor – for a lot of people it is a reality in this life. There are or will be “rocky roads” ahead!
So, the point being, Jesus’ words were getting harder and harder to bear and apparently a group of his followers turned back from following him.
So he turned and addressed the twelve: Do you also wish to go away, he asked them?
Some of us – obviously are better at coping than are some others. This is a gift. This is a blessing. Count yourself lucky if you are more resilient than others…
We can persevere. We can hang in there. We are not easily frightened away. We have not given up or given in. We are more resolute!
The twelve were like that. They were not going anywhere. And, as Peter, so eloquently put it, “to whom would they go?”
For them, Jesus had the words of eternal life.
Now what about you? Are you here for the short-run or for the long haul?
I believe that my God is stronger than all of “the stumbling blocks” that life can throw at us.
“Together,” he and I can get through anything. Your prayers, your love, your support are the icing on the cake. Collectively you help to make me stronger.
That, my friends, is true for all of us, it’s called residing in a community of faith.