Chapter 6 of John's gospel begins by recounting the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Many of us remember from Sunday School how Philip found the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish and brought him to Jesus. From this meager lunch, only enough for one small boy, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish providing more than enough for everyone. In fact, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up by what I'm sure were twelve astonished disciples.
Later, Jesus disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walked on the water.
When the boat arrived on the other side, Jesus found a great crowd waiting for him. They wanted to see more miracles. They wanted more bread.
Jesus didn't perform another miracle at this time. Instead, he told them about Himself. In v. 35 of chapter 6, Jesus says to the people, "I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus went on the say in v.51, "I am the living Bread that came down from Heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die"
The people and the religious leaders were shocked by what Jesus said. Clearly, Jesus was referring to Himself as God. Only Jesus could bring eternal life. Only by believing in His words and teachings can people of any age find the spiritual nourishment to satisfy their souls.
But, Jesus wasn't done shocking the people of His day. Jesus stated in v. 53 and 54 that, "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."
Many following Jesus were outraged. How could He say such a thing? Many were so offended that they immediately stopped following Jesus.
Think of that. Just a day earlier, a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children followed Jesus. Now, after this hard saying, they all left. The only one's remaining were the 12 disciples.
When Jesus saw the multitudes leaving, He asked the twelve if they wished to leave Him as well.
In v. 68 Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
The disciples stayed with Jesus. And after Pentecost, the remaining eleven turned the world upside down with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But,these words of Peter echo down to our time. The question to whom shall we go is a question everyone living must answer.
Unfortunately, many, if not most, living today choose to make the decision of the crowd and not the decision of the disciples. The crowd didn't wish to follow the hard and narrow pathway Jesus called on His followers to tread.
Now if you preach a Jesus that isn't the Jesus of the Bible, you will get some followers. A Jesus who is a good teacher among many receives many followers today. However, the Jesus who calls us take up our cross daily and follow Him receives the reaction the crowd gave to Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
New age religion, Eastern philosophies, and other religions offer a pathway some wish to follow. These spiritual formulations promise health, prosperity, and peace. But, if these pathways provide results why are so many of their followers still seeking?
To get through a world filled with hardship, others follow a hedonistic lifestyle trying to numb themselves or satisfy themselves with bodily pleasures in whatever form they take. In the end, those on this path will also find emptiness and the longing in their heart will only grow stronger with the passing years.
Peter's words are so true. "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life"
It is only in trusting in and following the Jesus of the Bible that any of us can find the key to this world and the world to come.
Jesus Christ is the only answer to the longing of the soul. Only through repentance, faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can we experience the abundant life Jesus came to give.
By placing our trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and believing that He is risen from the dead we can be transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of His marvelous light.
Only Jesus is the answer to every question. No other way can provide the answer. ONLY JESUS.
If you've never asked Jesus to be your Savior, I urge you to pray this prayer and believe with all of your heart.
Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I believe that you died and rose again to take away my sin and give me eternal life. I am sorry for my sin. I accept you Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Amen
Jesus, thank you that you are a great Savior. You are the way, the truth, and the life. May your name be praised both now and forevermore. Amen.
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