Key Verse: “From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69 CSB)
Jesus had been making some compelling statements to the crowd of people who were following Him. He was claiming to be the “true bread” sent from heaven. To truly believe in Him meant experiencing life forever. But many in the crowd weren’t so sure about it. They began grumbling and complaining about Him, because they only knew Him as the son of Joseph. It didn’t make any sense to them.
As Jesus continued to teach in the synagogue, the tension began to build. Ultimately, “when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is too hard. Who can accept it?” (v.60). “From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him” (v.66).
Stop and consider that for a moment. Many of these people had likely witnessed the miracles of Jesus, how he had turned water into wine, healed the sick, and fully fed a great crowd of people. But as they heard His teaching, it was too hard from them. They were repulsed by what He said. It was offensive to them. So ultimately they turned and walked away.
As they abandoned following Jesus, Jesus asked the Twelve if they too would turn away from Him. Peter responded, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God” (v.68-69). Peter understood in this moment who Jesus truly was. He wasn’t just the son of Joseph, or another religious teacher. Jesus is the Son of God who had come to bring eternal life. To look anywhere else would be foolish, even if what Jesus had to say was difficult or even offensive to hear.
The reality is that to fully follow Jesus and put into practice all that He teaches is not always easy. In fact, it often can be challenging because it is so counter-cultural or not our natural instincts. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). He said that to follow Him means denying ourselves and taking up the cross of suffering (Mark 8:34). He taught that the one and only way to the Father is through Him (John 14:6), and that not everyone who calls Him ‘Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). These are hard and sobering words that are offensive to some.
But like Peter and the other disciples, we must recognize that the One who taught these things is truly the Holy One of God. He holds the keys to life. He is the One who has made us and who has authority over all. So we must persevere in faithfully following Him, even when what He asks us to do is difficult.
Are you struggling to following Jesus’ teaching about something right now? Do you feel like it’s too hard and that you’d rather just turn and walk away? Invite God’s Spirit to strengthen your resolve and to fill you with a greater measure of faith to continue to follow Him no matter what.
Prayer: Jesus, truly you are the Holy One of God. I want to follow you with my whole heart, no matter how hard it may seem. Grant me the strength I need today to live for you and to continue to walk in your steps. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
