“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:66-69).
It is a sad day when people leave Jesus to follow another alternative. Jesus did not force anyone to follow him, even his own twelve apostles. His own question to them “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67) has a sober tone. Peter’s reply, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (John 6:68) reveals a profound understanding that the world needs to ponder. Consider three things about Jesus that give direction.
1. Jesus’ Sayings. Jesus closed one of his great sermons with the words, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matt. 7:24-25). The statements made by the sinless Son of God are the very things needed in every person in every situation in every generation. John wrote, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24). It is as Peter stated, “Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
2. Jesus’ Steps. Jesus spoke of two paths in life (cf. Matt. 7:13-14). The path to heaven is the obvious path that Jesus chose (cf. Heb. 12:2). Peter wrote to Christians, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus not only talked the talk but he also walked the walk. Luke told Theophilus at the beginning of the book of Acts, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). It is no wonder that Paul would make his exhortation to the Corinthians with the words, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). It is the man who is a doer, not just a hearer, that is blessed (cf. James 1:25).
3. Jesus’ Sacrifice. While one may firmly listen to the sayings of Jesus and walk diligently in the steps of Jesus to the best of his ability, one does fall short of God’s glory through sin (cf. Rom. 3:23). Jesus made provision for that as well. He stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). John wrote in another place, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). The death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the heart of the message of the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4). One obeys that form of doctrine (cf. Rom. 6:17) by crucifying one’s old man (cf. Rom. 6:6), being buried with Christ by baptism (cf. Rom. 6:4) and being raised with Christ to walk a new life (cf. Rom. 6:4-5; Col. 3:1-4). By continuing to walk in the light as a child of God, one has continued access to the blood of Jesus to cleanse from sin (cf. 1 John 1:7). This is where one goes from here.
Jimmy Clark