Lord, to whom shall we go?

John 6:66-71

Most of us have had experiences where we did not know where to look but to God. While our faith often grows during these times, they certainly are not fun. Many times these are "make or break" seasons of our life. Whatever we are facing can crush our faith, or we can stand secure in the Lord. In our text today, Peter chose to stand and his faith has encouraged Christians for 2,000 years.

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From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

John 6:66-71

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Jesus had just fed the 5,000. Because of this miracle, they wanted to take Him by force and make Him king. Knowing their hearts, He went away in to the desert to pray. He walked and had His disciples take a ship across the sea. They found themselves in a storm tossed around like rag dolls. Then, Jesus walked out on the water to them and calmed the storm. The next morning, the crowd found Him and demanded another miracle. Jesus told them that they did not need the bread that He had fed them with in the desert, but rather the bread of life.

They crowd was still thinking with their stomachs (lust of the flesh) and missed what He was saying. They asked for this bread and Jesus told them that He was the bread. As "good Jews" the idea of cannibalisms offended their senses and they could not understand what Jesus was saying. He was not talking about cannibalism but rather that His sacrifice was what would provide eternal life. Still, they were offended and left.

Jesus then asked the disciples, will you leave too? Peter then makes his statement, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Peter was resolved to stay with Jesus. He was not perfect, but he was committed. His faith inspired the other disciples, even Judas who would betray Jesus. They stayed with Jesus. These hard times, when others jump ship, are when our faith is tested. Pressure and influence from the world will push us to abandon Jesus. We have a choice to make. We can take the path of least resistance and follow the world, or we can make the upstream journey and walk with Jesus. One path leads to death and destruction, while the other leads to eternal life.

As Christians, we will not lose our salvation for making the wrong choice, but who are we influencing that may find themselves in Hell? If the world sees that we have abandoned Jesus, why would they chose Jesus? They need to see that we will remain faithful no matter the cost. Our faith and testimony could be the very evidence of the gospel that God uses to draw them to Him. It is during these times that the world sees our faith is real.

Father, help me to stay with you when the world walks away. Strengthen my faith for whatever uphill journey you may lead me on. May the storms and trials of this life strengthen my faith and not tempt me away from you.