John 6:67
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
This statement comes on the heels of Jesus’ rather controversial remarks about drinking His blood and eating His flesh, which caused many disciples who were on the fence to take their leave. The previous verse says, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Jesus was always a controversial figure in His time, and He remains so today. Yet, as it was then, large crowds of people still gather around Him, unable to deny that there is something special about Jesus and for the sake of His many powerful and miraculous deeds, masses of people follow Him, but only superficially.
This group of people will, before long, become offended at Jesus. They are convinced of His power but not of His Person. They may readily admit that He is special, but they are not convinced that He is God, or they are unwilling to let Him be God in their lives, even if they acknowledge His deity. This group was never truly Christian in the real sense. They may have borne the title of “disciple,” but they never truly knew Him. As the Scripture says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us” (1 John 2:19). Yet, Jesus’ question was not directed to this crowd. His question was aimed at the group who remained—the twelve disciples.
Today, this question is directed not to the superficial Christian, but to the genuine believer. However, even in the most devout circles, there are “Judas-types.” What was it that kept the remaining disciples from leaving? Peter gives us the answer: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69).
It was Peter’s belief about who Jesus was that kept him from leaving, even when Jesus’ sermon was offensive and easily misinterpreted as cannibalism. Peter may or may not have fully understood what Jesus was talking about. He may or may not have been offended or at least confused. But one thing he knew for certain: Jesus was the Messiah and the only hope he had. Therefore, where else could he go?
So it is with you, dear devout Christian. Eventually, you will find yourself in a situation where Jesus’ words or ways offend you. He may lead you down a rough road. He may call you to bear the reproach of His name. He may take away comforts, relationships, or popularity. In such moments, His question to us is, “Will ye also go away?”
Millions have turned away in such an hour. Will you join them? If you have ever been truly convinced of who He is, you will determine that no matter what He says or does, there is nowhere else to go.
Several years ago, I found myself in a similar situation. Following Jesus had not turned out the way I had hoped, and many doubtful thoughts arose in my heart and mind. I didn’t understand what He was doing, and there were times I was tempted to question His words and decisions. Had I not been completely assured that His words were the words of eternal life and that He was the only begotten Son of God, I would have departed. I trusted who He was, even when I could not understand what He was doing or saying.
So it is with all of us who are true disciples of Christ. We want to know and understand everything He says and does, but if we are honest, sometimes we just don’t. In those hours, what keeps us close is our confidence in who He is.
What will it be for you? Have His recent dealings in your life tempted you to be offended at Him or His words? Perhaps He has led you to an unpopular situation among your peers. Perhaps He has revealed a truth that challenges your preconceived notions of how He works.
“Will ye also go away?”
Or will you, like Peter, be convinced of who He is and reply: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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