EVERYTHING WE NEED: To Whom Shall We Go?
BT Staff
In John 6, we note that Jesus had a large number of people following Him wherever He went. They had witnessed His many miracles, culminating in feeding 5,000 people with just 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish. After that, they began to believe He was, indeed, the Prophet who was to come into the world.
When Jesus crossed the lake into Capernaum, the crowd found Him there. Jesus knew why they were there — not just because they had seen Him perform many miracles, but because they had just had their fill of bread and fish. He also knew they intended to take Him by force and make Him their king (John 6:15).
Jesus told them that regular food would spoil, and they needed to look “…for food that endures for eternal life…” (John 6:27 NIV). He declared, “I am the bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:41). The people knew about the manna from Heaven in Moses’ time but did not understand what Jesus was saying about Himself. They said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60).
Jesus continued His message, “…The words I have spoken to you — full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe” (John 6:63-64). “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66).
Jesus looked at His disciples and asked, “You do not want to leave to, do you?” (John 6:67). Simon Peter spoke up and answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).
This was a good question. The Twelve couldn’t go to the Scribes and Pharisees — they didn’t believe and didn’t want anyone else to either. They couldn’t go to John the Baptist — he had already told them, “I am not the Christ” (Luke 1:20 ESV). The Law of Moses was not a viable choice either — It revealed one’s guilt, but it did not offer grace and could not justify.
Some may become offended by the truth and turn to preachers who make them feel good and don’t question them about their lifestyle — “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save” (Psalm 146:3). Others may decide that they don’t need a Savior or anyone else — they are gods themselves and can control their own lives. The Bible declares, however, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 16:25).
So then, “To whom shall we go?” The only answer is Jesus. He told His disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
You may not like to hear the truth or find it difficult to understand. Perhaps you want to hear that all people will make it to Heaven, sin is just the product of religious people or Hell is not real and there is no afterlife when you die. Don’t be fooled by these false statements. Someone said that when you have a choice between what you like and what is true, stick with the truth even if it is uncomfortable. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus died for us, and He is our only hope — the only One we can turn to for eternal life.