Do You Want to Leave Too?

Scripture: John 6:66-69 (NIV)

From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave, too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Devotion:

In John 6:66-69, we encounter a poignant moment in Jesus' ministry. The passage describes a pivotal point where many of Jesus’ followers decided to abandon Him. His teachings, particularly the discourse on the Bread of Life, had become difficult for them to accept. Jesus had spoken of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, a metaphorical expression of embracing His sacrifice, which proved too challenging for many to grasp or accept. This metaphor symbolizes the need to fully accept and internalize Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, a concept that was difficult for many to understand at the time. As a result, they turned away, no longer walking with Him.

In this pivotal moment, Jesus turns to the Twelve, His closest disciples, and poses a penetrating question: “You do not want to leave, too, do you?” This question is not just about physical departure; it challenges their faith, commitment, and understanding of who He is. It’s a question that echoes through the ages to us today. In times of trial, confusion, or difficulty, we, too, are faced with the choice of staying with Christ or turning away.

Simon Peter’s response is both profound and instructive. He says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Here, Peter acknowledges that despite the hardships, uncertainties, and difficulty of Jesus' teachings, no alternative offers what Jesus does. Peter’s declaration underscores a deep conviction that Jesus alone is the source of eternal life and truth, inspiring us to make our own unwavering declarations of faith.

This passage invites us to reflect on our own faith journey. It challenges us to consider our commitment to Christ. When faced with teachings or circumstances that we find difficult, do we choose to walk away, or do we, like Peter, recognize that there is nowhere else to turn for the words of eternal life? Our spiritual growth often requires us to grapple with challenging truths and to trust in Jesus’ wisdom and love, even when we do not fully understand.

As we meditate on this scripture, let us reaffirm our commitment to remain with Jesus, especially when the path is difficult. Remember that He is the Holy One of God, the source of eternal life, and our steadfast guide. In Him, we find the ultimate truth and the promise of eternal life. May we, with Peter, declare our unwavering faith in Christ, knowing that He alone holds the words of eternal life. Let us pray that we will stand firm in our faith.

Prayer:

            Dear Jesus, we will always be true and faithful to you. Forgive us for our unbelief and help us to be more faithful. May we always be ready to answer those who ask us why we follow you. Lord, help us to walk and talk in ways that are faithful to your kingdom. May we ever glorify and worship you and spread the good news of Christ abroad. This prayer is a reaffirmation of our commitment to Christ, a plea for forgiveness for our moments of doubt, and a request for strength to remain faithful in our journey of spiritual growth. Amen.