“The Wizard of Oz” had it right.
Sometimes we sing along happily, skipping our way to an exciting destination. The next moment things change. We are quivering in fear. The journey is perilous. Enemies surround.
Of course, I am not talking about wicked witches and munchkins. I am not afraid a lion, a scarecrow, or a tinman are waiting around the corner. Our journey is sidetracked by so many different things:
- Doubt storms
- Fear
- Pain
- Grief
These and so many other struggles take our focus off the journey. Our attention is diverted and our hearts quiver.
As we continue to focus on Peter and his development, we will understand a day that diverted so many who followed Jesus, could have diverted the disciples, and for anyone lesser, may have been distorted Jesus’ focus.
A challenging day was the last thing anyone expected as the day began. The section of scripture occurs in John 6. They followed Jesus until…and then it did not make sense. What comes next? We will see an amazing transformation as the crowd changes their response to Jesus.
The day starts with such promise. A large crowd of people go around the lake to follow Jesus to Capernaum. The day before was amazing. Jesus fed the crowd of five thousand. No wonder they raced to greet him on the other side of the water. (The Crowd Followed Jesus-John 6:22-40)
John records that when they raced around to follow Him, He spoke of eternal life. Their response was, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus spoke of the Bread of Heaven. They responded, “sir, always give us this bread.”
In this context Jesus extended a promise to His listeners. He said, “(God) will lose none, but raise them to eternal life.” For some reason, this teaching caused the crowd to begin murmuring. They grumbled about Jesus’ words. (They Murmured Against Jesus-John 6:41-51)
Some of the crowd began to debate with one another. They argued sharply among themselves. Jesus responded to this division by turning up the heat. He commands them to “eat this bread and drink my blood.” (The Crowd Fought With One Another About Jesus’ Words-John 6:52-59)
Soon some of the people left Jesus. How tragic. They were within sight of the Kingdom. They had tasted the Bread of Life. The problem is that their discipleship was too shallow. They could not bear Jesus’ words and were unwilling to face the disagreement.
Jesus would not be the kind of leader they expected. The draw of the free meal no longer seemed worth the cost. They no longer followed Jesus. The tense of John’s words was such that they were not going to come back. They would not resume following Him.
John highlights three responses to the day’s events.
When the pressure is on, some people leave. (John 6:66)
John 6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
They made a decision to no longer follow Jesus. His words were too much. They rejected Him openly and permanently.
When the pressure is on, some people express faith (Verses 67-69)
Jesus asked a question.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
By this simple question Jesus indicates that there is no middle ground. He requires His
disciples to choose. That decision had to be made by them, and it must be made by us.
Do you want to follow Jesus?
The answer is simple,
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
What a simple, yet profound statement. Peter knows there is nowhere else he can go.
Peter also includes a confession.
68b You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
This is a powerful statement of faith. Peter first recognizes that Jesus has the words of
eternal life. The words of Jesus may drive some away, but for those who will believe they
are the words that lead to eternal life. Peter uses a perfect tense for Jesus’ words. These
words have and continue to bring people to eternal life.
Finally, when the pressure is on some are revealed as deceptive. (Verses 70-71)
70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Jesus knew all along that the Jews would come after Him. He also knew that
they would recruit Judas to betray Him. Judas never genuinely believed. Jesus
knows if you have truly believe in Him. He knows your ultimate decision.
So, what is your decision when Jesus looks at you with the simple question, “You don’t want to leave do you?” You must decide. Read Peter’s words again. Make His confession your own.
One more question, “What is your motive?” Why are you choosing Jesus? For a free meal? For the attention? Or because He is the Son of God who has the words of life. Confess Him today.
