Keep Walking with Purpose

I hope you’re enjoying this journey. It means a lot to me you’ve joined me again, as today we read John chapters 6 and 7.

This morning, as I often do, I got my day started, performed my research, and then went to a nearby park for a short walk. Keeping my legs working is vital, and it’s a great time to contemplate the Word and reflect on what I’ve studied.

Let’s talk about walking with Jesus.

I recently watched a video from Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, PhD, titled Who Is the Man of the Shroud, which explores the Shroud of Turin and its implications for Christ’s physical suffering and resurrection. In it, Dr. Johnston notes that some scholars believe Jesus may have walked 20,000 miles during His ministry, though most estimate closer to 3,000 miles.(1) Either way, that’s a lot of walking.

At my former job, we had team competitions to see who could record the most steps on their activity monitors. I doubt any of us came close to that kind of mileage.

But discipleship doesn’t rely on steps for measurement—it relies on surrender.

Discipleship Is More Than Knowing

As we follow along in these chapters, we see what the cost of discipleship is. It’s more than knowing who Jesus is. It’s following Him, walking with Him, learning from Him, and conforming to what He taught. Not just knowing what He said we should do—but doing it.

Faith on the Hillside

We begin in the early spring, likely around March or April, during the time of Passover (John 6:4). Temperatures in Galilee would have been around 70°F, and the spring rains would have left the hillside covered with a soft blanket of grass (John 6:10).

Imagine being so compelled by Jesus’ teaching that you don’t even notice your stomach growling. But your wife, caring for your children, lets you know they’re getting cranky because they’re hungry.

Jesus knew what the crowd needed. He had a plan to feed them, but He wanted to test Philip’s faith: “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5, NIV)

Philip, like many of us, looked at their account and the distance to the nearest town. He calculated it would take half a year’s wages to feed them (John 6:7). This showed that Philip still focused on earthly limitations, not on the person he was with.

Provision Beyond Logic

Jesus provided more than enough. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers (John 6:13). Then He took it further: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life…” (John 6:27)

They were following Him for the miracles—for the meals. But Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). He is not only the provider—he is the provision.

This is a hard teaching. It means seeking spiritual fulfillment over physical comfort. He had already taught: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

When the Teaching Offends

Some found this offensive and left. “From this time many of His disciples turned back, and no longer followed Him.” (John 6:66)

It’s interesting, though likely coincidental, that this verse numbers as 666, the number of the beast (Revelation 13:18). This moment marks a kind of apostasy—a turning away from truth when it becomes inconvenient.

The Cost of Discipleship

Being a disciple isn’t easy. The first obstacle is losing your pride. “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Then comes the walk—living like your Master, not relying on logic or resources, but trusting that: “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Even His Brothers Didn’t Believe

If that sounds like more than you’re ready to commit to, don’t worry. “Even His own brothers did not believe in Him.” (John 7:5)

But later, after witnessing the resurrection, James—Jesus’ brother—became a leader in the church and author of the Book of James (Galatians 1:19; James 1:1).

Keep Walking

So keep walking. Keep learning. It takes time to be sustained by the Gospel. But when you reach that place, you’ll know that Jesus is more than a teacher.

He is Lord.

Tomorrow, we will read John 7-8.

Footnotes

Jeremiah Johnston, Who Is the Man of the Shroud, Prestonwood Baptist Church, April 6, 2025. — Discusses historical estimates of Jesus’ walking distance during His ministry.: Discipleship and the Bread of Life