By: Bertram Charles
Scripture: John 6: Verse 68
Many people followed Jesus to listen and to learn from his teaching. Others followed him to be fed from his loaves and fishes; to see miracles and out of curiosity. Not all of them were devoted to Jesus and his doctrine. Some of them murmured and were offended by his teaching. Still others were superficial and experimental followers of Jesus who accompanied him for blessings, favors, and benefits.
The experimental followers were leaving the company of Jesus because his teaching would initiate challenge, sacrifice, selflessness and demand on their lives and they were not prepared to make the calling. The teaching of Jesus was taxing in their lives. They no longer associated with Jesus nor professed to acknowledge him as the Messiah, so they walked away and abandoned Jesus.
Jesus, in testing the loyalty of his twelve disciples of his inner circle, granted them the opportunity to depart like the others. Jesus said to them: “Will you also go away?”
Peter, spokesman for the Twelve, responded: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6: Verse 68)
Some people go away from Jesus because of the world. (1 John 2: Verses 16 -17.)
To go away from Jesus Christ is a personal folly. There is no one else to go to. Without Jesus we are like filthy rags. No one else can cleanse us. Without Christ we are condemned to die. In weakness, He is our strength. In sorrow, He is our comfort. In need, He is our present help. In darkness, He is our light.
He has fed us, He has healed us by His Providence and He has redeemed us by His blood.
Jesus has the message of eternal life.