When desire and truth conflict, it is decision time. Decision time had arrived for the multitudes following Jesus. They could cling to their earthly desires for an easy life and free salvation, or they could accept Jesus and continue following Him.

Some chose to seek a compromise and wanted to know what work they could do to earn eternal life. (Vs. 28). They desired to earn their own salvation. It was impossible then and it is impossible now to achieve, but many were unwilling to except that truth.

Life changing choices are hard to make. Rather than deal with the pain of giving up misguided and inadequate desires, some wanted to give up their freewill. They asked Jesus for an overwhelming sign. (Vs. 30). They wanted Jesus to make the choice for them and He would not. By choosing not to choose, they chose to leave Jesus.

Many of those who chose to reject Jesus, (who is The Truth), also chose to self justify their choice by attempting to discredit Him. They claimed Jesus could not be who He claimed because after all they knew his parents Mary and Joseph. (Vs. 42). They tried to discredit the messenger to excuse their rejection of the message.

Willful misunderstanding or twisting of the truth is never an effective way to avoid the responsibility of making a decision, yet it is normal for people to attempt this. The Jews chose to take literally the words of Jesus even thought they knew He was using them in a spiritual sense. (Vs. 52). (Many people are still doing this today to hang on to their faulty theology.) Honest choices require us to be honest about what Jesus meant and freewill never gives us the freedom to change His meaning to fit our desires.

The most honest of the Jews spoke the truth: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (Vs. 60). They made the wrong choice, but because of their honesty they still had hope of faith. Faith requires a total commitment to the truth.