To Whom Shall We Go?
Dec 15, 2006
At one particular time during Jesus’ life, a number of His disciples turned away and “walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). When this happened, Jesus asked His twelve apostles, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67). Simon Peter’s answer displayed the attitude that we should all have. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). There may be a number of other people, places, or activities that we are tempted to spend the majority of our time and effort on, but none of them can offer us as much as what Jesus can provide. Jesus can provide the best for us, but in return we must obey Him and put Him first in our lives.
Through Jesus, we can attain far greater rewards than through any other means. He has provided us with forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). He has brought in a new covenant for us (Hebrews 9:15), in which we can have an “eternal inheritance.” Jesus came to earth to “save the world” (John 12:47) and through Him, we can have eternal life (1st John 5:11). No one else can offer us even close to what Jesus offers us. Therefore, as Peter wondered, to whom else would we go?
Even though Jesus offers us such great gifts, the sad truth is that many will choose not to accept them. In fact, most will choose not to accept them (Matthew 7:13+14). Those who choose not to follow Jesus choose not to accept the only sacrifice that can take away sins (Hebrews 10:26). Instead, they choose punishment (Hebrews 10:29). They choose to suffer the wrath of God (Hebrews 10:30+31). Those who do not follow Jesus are not only choosing not to accept the unrivaled gifts that He offers. They are also choosing the unrivaled punishment that awaits those who do not obey, even if they have done good works (Matthew 7:21-23). Therefore, to whom else would we go?
So many people do not follow Jesus because they are not willing to leave their earthly concerns behind. The rich young ruler from Luke 18, at best, was hesitant to put Jesus above his riches (Luke 18:19-23). Those mentioned in Luke 9:57-62 had a variety of excuses to put off following Jesus.
The cost of following Jesus may be steep. He must come first, even above family (Matthew 10:34-38). Jesus’ friends are those who do what He commands (John 15:14). We must obey Him always because if we do not “keep Him commandments,” then we do not even know Him (1st John 2:3+4). The cost may be steep, but when we consider the great gifts he offers that no one else can offer, and when we consider the great punishment that awaits us if we do not follow Jesus, then to whom else shall we go?
Through Jesus, we can attain far greater rewards than through any other means. He has provided us with forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). He has brought in a new covenant for us (Hebrews 9:15), in which we can have an “eternal inheritance.” Jesus came to earth to “save the world” (John 12:47) and through Him, we can have eternal life (1st John 5:11). No one else can offer us even close to what Jesus offers us. Therefore, as Peter wondered, to whom else would we go?
Even though Jesus offers us such great gifts, the sad truth is that many will choose not to accept them. In fact, most will choose not to accept them (Matthew 7:13+14). Those who choose not to follow Jesus choose not to accept the only sacrifice that can take away sins (Hebrews 10:26). Instead, they choose punishment (Hebrews 10:29). They choose to suffer the wrath of God (Hebrews 10:30+31). Those who do not follow Jesus are not only choosing not to accept the unrivaled gifts that He offers. They are also choosing the unrivaled punishment that awaits those who do not obey, even if they have done good works (Matthew 7:21-23). Therefore, to whom else would we go?
So many people do not follow Jesus because they are not willing to leave their earthly concerns behind. The rich young ruler from Luke 18, at best, was hesitant to put Jesus above his riches (Luke 18:19-23). Those mentioned in Luke 9:57-62 had a variety of excuses to put off following Jesus.
The cost of following Jesus may be steep. He must come first, even above family (Matthew 10:34-38). Jesus’ friends are those who do what He commands (John 15:14). We must obey Him always because if we do not “keep Him commandments,” then we do not even know Him (1st John 2:3+4). The cost may be steep, but when we consider the great gifts he offers that no one else can offer, and when we consider the great punishment that awaits us if we do not follow Jesus, then to whom else shall we go?