Influencers Devotionals

Trust or Turn Back by Bryan Craig

October 29, 2024

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “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 God.” John 6:67-69

I remember, years ago, learning about some of the differences in Christian beliefs between denominations and expressions. One that appeared to be somewhat controversial was a $10 word “Transubstantiation.” It was a firm belief that the elements of Communion or the Eucharist in the Lord’s Supper actually become the body and blood of Christ, even though they appear to be ordinary elements of bread and wine or juice. Others believe this is a spiritual or symbolic ritual. It is a topic that can become quite divisive.

I looked to God’s Word at that time, trying to find answers for myself, like a good “God-Seeker” would do. The answer I was looking for was found in John Chapter 6. As I’ve dug into this chapter, I will tell you that there is much more going on than an interpretation of the Lord’s Supper.

At the beginning of the chapter, there is the famous story where Jesus feeds 5000 followers with five loaves of bread and two fish. The people were so amazed that verse 15 says Jesus knew they were about to take him by force to make him king. Jesus knew what was in a man and that they tend to measure influence by power, and he quickly “withdrew” to be alone with the Father.

There is a great scene during the middle of the night where Jesus walks to the disciples on water as they were going to the other side of the sea. The next morning, the crowds found there way across, as well, in search of this amazing man who could do miracles. Jesus decides it’s time for a teaching moment.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:25-29 ESV

He doesn’t want them focusing on miracles or what He could do for them. He just wants them to believe He is Who He says He is.

He is the bread of life. (v. 35, 48)
He has come from heaven, not to do His will, but the will of God. (v. 38)
He takes all those who believe in Him and raises them up on the last day. (v. 40, 44)

The people are already starting to scoff at his claim that He came down from Heaven. So He goes further.

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (vs.53-58)

It goes on to say that the people were grumbling, saying that this was a hard teaching, and they were taking offense.

I love His response:

“Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” (vs. 61-65)

It next says one of the saddest lines in Scripture: After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” (v. 66)

Now, before you judge those people who left Jesus, let me ask you a few questions:

Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is?
Have you ever been confused about theology, and you doubted your faith?
Have you ever been great with Jesus when everything was going your way, but when circumstances get tough, you weren’t so sure about Him?
Have you ever turned your back on Jesus?

The end of the chapter is great, as Jesus turns to the 12 disciples (his Journey Group)and says, “Do you want to go away as well?” (v. 67)

Maybe you are in a crisis of your faith and Jesus is asking you, “Do you want to go away from Me?”

Peter 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 God.” (v. 69)

I love Peter’s response, for it says it all. It says that they believed. That is the first step, believing in Jesus. But that’s where many stop. That might even be a very shallow notion, one based on Jesus doing something for us. Many in that crowd thought they believed in Him, until He challenged their motives and their belief, and it came up short.

But Peter also says, “we have come to know You are the Holy One of God.” To really believe in Him, you have to get to know Him. This is what is called “Abiding.”

When you are Abiding, you will follow Him wherever He goes, through thick and thin, even when you don’t understand what He is saying or what He is doing. You will not get hung up on trying to perfect your theology and convince everyone to believe like you do. You will not treat Jesus like He is there to meet your every need or to do miracles to please you. You will just walk with Jesus. He is your everything. As much as food and drink are to physical survival, Jesus is your spiritual survival. You, like Peter, could say, “Where else would I go? Jesus is my life.”