Scripture
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[1]”
70Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
Translation notes (1)
- 6:69 Other manuscripts read you are the Christ, the Holy One of God; still others read you are the Christ, the Son of God; and still others read you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
As we walk with someone, we have the opportunity at any point in time to take another route. We have the opportunity to walk in a different direction. This is not what a faithful follower does, however. Instead of walking away or moving in a different direction, a faithful follower stays in the path of the direction of the person they are walking with. This is particularly true in our walk with Christ. Part of remaining faithful to Him means that we stay the course, refusing to let anything get in the way of walking with God.
Jesus' disciples modeled for us an example of faith that does not retreat or walk away from God in John 6. In this chapter, we learn that Jesus had just preached a particularly difficult teaching, and many people walked away from Jesus as a result. As they walked away, Jesus looked at His disciples. I imagine that He locked eyes with them as He asked them the question, "Are you also going to leave?" (verse 67). Jesus was inquiring if they had faith that prompted them to stay, following Him without retreating. Peter, who often spoke up for the group, answered. His answer was stunning. "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life," he replied (verse 68). Peter's answer points us to his faith. Because Peter believed in Jesus, and that He spoke words of eternal life, Peter was not going to leave Jesus.
Jesus' question in John 6 is the question we must wrestle with today. Amidst all of the chaos and struggles of life, are we going to leave or will we stay faithfully committed without retreat? My friend, there really is nowhere else to turn, He does hold the words of life.
Moving Toward Action
Is there an area in your life where you are walking that you know is pulling away from the direction that God is calling you? What is it? Pray about this area, acknowledging it to God out loud. Ask Him for the boldness and courage to refuse to let anything pull you away from Him.
Going Deeper
Read John 6:60-71 (NLT)
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