Each of us has a choice to make — to follow the Lord or turn from Him?
Many say, “We will follow the Lord.” However, it breaks my heart to see others who turn away from God when circumstances of life become heartbreaking and disappointing. And sadly, there are also Christians who turn away when they hear teaching that is too hard for them to comprehend or that they are unwilling to accept.
Jesus experienced this with his own disciples. Let’s look at John 6:60-66 (NKJV):
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said,“Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
Why did some disciples turn away? Offense.
That’s the same reason many believers turn away today — offense. Other reasons along with offense are anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy, and strife to name a few.
All those reasons are from the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came so we can live an abundant life. (see John 10:10)
So many disciples left Jesus. But then Jesus turned to the twelve disciples.
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67-69)
Peter spoke truth–when things get tough, “to whom shall we go?”
No one other than Jesus can give us eternal life. Why run away?
I faced this crossroads almost four years ago when I received the middle of the phone call that my oldest son was arrested and charged with murder. It was one of my worst nightmares unfolding in reality.
This passage from John 6 came to me. As I meditated on the passage, I prayed, “Lord who else can I turn to. Your have the words of eternal life. I have no where else to go. Help my family get through this living hell.” God has been faithful to walk with us through this tragedy. We’re still here to testify of God’s goodness.
Brothers and sisters, we have a choice to make. Let’s stop running from God when circumstances of our lives become hard. We can cast off offense, anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy and such. And run to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. For in Christ, His words bring life, hope, healing, restoration, and eternal life.
