Where Else Can We Go?
You can almost see Peter throw up open hands when he replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of Israel.”
As many of Jesus’ disciples were leaving (John 6:60-68), Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them if they were next. Peter’s response has been echoing in my head.
Where else would we go?
Peter didn’t play down the reasons others had for leaving Jesus Christ. Peter didn’t deny contemplating it himself. Peter just asked a question that demands a reasonable answer.
Look around – is there any other option? Where else can you turn for eternal life if you turn away from Christ?
Would you reject the Fountain of Living Water to hew broken cisterns for yourself? Peter realized that no matter who or what you turned to, it would be less than Christ. It wouldn’t offers the eternal life that our souls long for. It would be a vain attempt to satisfy oneself outside of God, where satisfaction cannot be found. How futile it is to look for something in a place other than where it is.
Where I’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
I flew the coop for a couple weeks because midterms had me in a headlock. But what I learned while I was away from the blogosphere is worth coming back to share in the coming weeks.
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Indeed, there is utter despair apart from Christ. May the words of Jesus continue to produce in us a Peter-type realization.
Amen Brother Jonathan
I agree, Peter did not play down the reasons why others were leaving Christ and probably had considered leaving more than once himself – that’s most likely why he had such a penetrating reply ready.
I personally consider it a bit naive and possibly dangerous to ignore the questions that arise in our hearts regarding our own faith in Christ. An honest facing of doubts can strengthen our real trust in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. If we have truly seen him (had our eyes opened to believe), what we see when we look elsewhere is shown to be empty and ultimately worthless, despite any short-term pleasures or satisfaction it may promise.
I look forward to what else you have to share.
I was reading John 6 earlier today, reflecting on John’s description of the events surrounding the miracle of the loaves feeding the multitudes. Jesus asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread…?” Then we read these striking words: “He said this to test him, for He himself knew what He would do.”
The skeptic would say that Jesus’ question was disingenuous, since He knew that there was nowhere to buy bread, they surely had not the money (over a half year’s wages) required, and He had no intention of buying anything. But John tells us it was to test Philip.
When God tests us, it is never so that He can see the results because He already knows them, but so that He can prove Himself to us. He does the same again in v.67 with the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” He knew what would be said in reply, but up until that point they did not know, so He asked it to prove Himself to them– so that they could be assured that they had already decided in their minds and hearts that there was nowhere else to go, for eternal life itself was in their midst in the very person of their Lord.
God’s tests are not constructed for our failure, but for our maturation.
Mike and Al – taken together, your comments have described what the year 2009 felt like on my end. A God-designed test that resulted in a stronger faith because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Not that God didn’t know the outcome of my struggle with skepticism, but He knew it would do my heart good to reach firm conclusions after a test.
Mike, seeing you here is a welcome sight. I hope you come back and share your insight.