Dr. Ray Pritchard Christian Blog and Commentary

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To Whom Shall We Go?

  • Dr. Ray Pritchard
    Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based ministry serving Christians in 225 countries. He is the author of 29 books, including Stealth Attack, Fire and Rain,… More
  • Updated Mar 09, 2010

 

"Lord, to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68)

Jesus is too much for some people.

Sometimes the words of Jesus seem too strong, his demands too strict, his sayings too mysterious to understand. Sometimes the problem is simply that Jesus asks for everything, and that's more than we are willing to give.

In this case Jesus has just revealed that he is the true Bread of Heaven, the only source of eternal life. Then our Lord applies the truth using a startling word picture:

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54).

When the people heard this, they said, "This is a hard teaching" (John 6:60). But it is only hard if you think on the physical plane. Jesus means that when you trust him, he becomes "living bread" and "living water" to your soul. You come hungry and thirsty and he meets the deepest need of your life.

At this point many of the disciples turned away, proving that they had no real understanding at all. 

When Jesus asks his inner circle if they too will leave, Peter replies, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?" (John 6:68). His brave words mean something like this:

"A long time ago we began to follow you. We've watched you up close. Some things you do frighten us because we've never seen anything like it before. You say things that blow our minds. You don't mind offending powerful people. You aren't like any Rabbi we've ever known before. We've looked at the alternatives, and we've figured out that there is no one else who can do what you do. We know you are the Holy One of God. So we've made our choice. We're sticking with you all the way to the end."

Ray Stedman offers this summation of what a true Christian thinks of Jesus:

In Christ we have a love that can never be fathomed; a life that can never die; a righteousness that can never be tarnished; a peace that can never be understood; a rest that can never be disturbed; a joy that can never be diminished; a hope that can never be disappointed; a glory that can never be clouded; a light that can never be darkened; a happiness that can never be interrupted; a strength that can never be enfeebled; a purity that can never be defiled; a beauty that can never be marred; a wisdom that can never be baffled; and resources that can never be exhausted. 

If that is true-and it is-how could a Christian ever go anywhere else? 

Let the world think what it will. Jesus is Lord! By God's grace, we will follow him to the end. 

Lord Jesus, you are the one and only Savior of the World. No one who can compare to you. You alone are the exalted Lord of heaven and earth. We will not leave you because our hearts are fully satisfied in you. May we by grace remain faithful to you now and forever. Amen. 

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.   


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