This week's gospel text overlaps the final verses from last week reminding us that it is Jesus' surprise message in John 6:53-59 that actually causes the reaction in verses 60-69. These texts portray two crucial events Jesus' final desertion by the synagogue establishment and by a large number of so-called disciples. What began as a chapter focused on a quest for faith (6:1-36) concludes with a scene of ultimate rejection (6:66).

The profoundly personal and painful nature of this desertion is suggested by the change in location and audience cited between verses 59-60. …