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.” John 6:67-68
Jesus’ teachings were often so incredible that He attracted large crowds of people who came to listen to Him. Unfortunately, this was not always the case. Sometimes His teachings were so hard or counter-cultural that many people walked away. You see, the message of Jesus was not always popular or widely accepted. Many people walked away. Despite all of these things, Jesus’ twelve disciples, except for Judas, remained faithful and followed Him until the very end.
John 6 records a time when many people walked away from Jesus. His teachings were particularly difficult, and some people were confused by what He was saying. As a result, “many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him” (verse 66). At this point, Jesus turned to His twelve disciples and asked them, “Are you also going to leave?” (verse 67). Can you imagine this moment? Jesus asked His disciples if they were going to abandon Him too. Of course, He knew they were not going to leave, but this moment was a test of their faith. Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life” (verse 68). Peter spoke up for all of the disciples. They knew that He brought eternal life, and because of that, there was nowhere else to go.
Jesus’ disciples proved these words to be true, as many of them went on to be persecuted for their faith, and all but one were even eventually killed for their faith in Jesus. Nevertheless, they continued to follow and make Him known around the world, clinging to His promise of eternal life.
Friends, Jesus still holds the words of eternal life today. This is the promise and hope that sustains us through everything. He brings hope and life; because of this, there is nowhere else to turn but Jesus and the hope He offers. So let’s spread this hope all around us today.
Moving toward action
Take time today to spread the hope of Jesus. Please plan to worship with us this weekend and invite someone to join you. As you worship together, they will see the hope and eternal life that Jesus offers everyone who turns to Him.
Going Deeper
John 6:60-71 (NLT)
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