I’ve spent the last five weeks preaching in the sunny climes of Tenerife thanks to the loving generosity of a loving church in Los Christianos.

And I have to admit, it’s been more than a little surreal watching the news from the comfort (and relative safety) of that enticing island. But it’s also it’s been a useful reminder that there are times when it’s good to step back and see things from a distance.

Given the nature of things, I am writing this column a couple of days before we opt for ‘Madam Brexit’ or ‘Buoyant Jeremy’ as our next Prime Minister, and like everybody else, I haven’t a clue who is going to win this year’s election. The polls are more than a little confusing, and even if that wasn’t the case we have to face the fact that their track record has been far from inspiring in recent years.

But, whatever the uncertainties, I am sure of one thing: people are fickle. They can change their minds, and sometimes very quickly. Jesus understood this only too well. It became apparent in the days that followed that amazing miracle we know as ‘The Feeding of the Five Thousand.’ It was when he took a young lad’s lunch and in some mysterious way used it to feed a multitude. None of us know how He did it of course, and I am sure they were just as clueless then too. But it certainly got them excited, so excited in fact that they decided they would make Him their king, and by force if necessary. They reasoned that if He could do things like that then He could do anything; He could even defeat the hated Romans and restore their long lost freedom.

But Jesus would have none of this. He had no intention of using violence or fermenting a political revolution even though His Galilean friends wanted Him to do exactly that. His approach stands in stark contrast to the embittered twisted logic of the terrorist (and much of the church’s history too). His was a revolution of love, a love so revolutionary that it even encompassed His enemies.

But He was under no illusions. He knew that His message would prove very unappealing. It still is because He wanted them, as He wants us, to take spiritual issues seriously. He summed it up nicely when He said: ‘Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.’

Now the Galilean crowds didn’t like that emphasis and so they left in their droves. Their departure came as no surprise to Jesus though. It was exactly what He expected. And so slowly, but surely the large crowds melted away until He was left with a small group of devoted, if very imperfect disciples. They decided to ‘hang on in there’ because He had convinced them that He had the answers to the really important questions in life.

I take heart from this episode in Jesus’ ministry because I recently discovered that a mere four per cent of the UK population will identify themselves as Christians by the year 2030. The decline is set to continue. And I can understand why given the way the Christians often behave. I take heart though because this story reminds me that the Christian message will always prove with many unpopular because it challenges people to take spiritual issues seriously.

But whatever the disappointments this story is a helpful reminder that there will also be those who will choose to follow Him too. And they will do so for one very important reason: He offers us life with a capital ‘L.’

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]