There are some statements in the Bible that become even more powerful when we understand what happened immediately before them. John 6:66 is one of those verses: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
Those first three words are important: “From that time.” From what time? What happened that caused people who had been following Jesus to suddenly turn around and leave Him?
Earlier in John 6, a great multitude followed Jesus because they had seen His miracles. As the day progressed, the people became hungry. With only five barley loaves and two small fishes, Jesus miraculously fed more than 5,000 men, besides women and children. Everyone ate until they were filled and 12 baskets of fragments remained.
The people were so impressed that they wanted to make Jesus their king.
They loved a Jesus who healed the sick. They loved a Jesus who multiplied bread. They loved a Jesus who met their physical needs.
But Jesus knew their hearts.
The next day they came looking for Him again, and Jesus said, “Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26).
They wanted another meal. Jesus wanted to give them eternal life.
They were interested in the bread He could provide, but Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
As Jesus continued teaching, His words became more difficult for them to accept. Finally, many responded, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” Jesus asked them, “Doth this offend you?” That became the turning point.
The crowd that wanted to crown Him when He filled their stomachs began abandoning Him when He confronted their hearts.
They liked His provision, but not His preaching. They wanted His miracles, but not His message. They enjoyed His benefits, but rejected His truth. They wanted what was in His hand more than they wanted Him.
Then we read those heartbreaking words: “From that time many of
his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
Jesus turned to the 12 disciples who remained and asked, “Will ye also go away?” That question still deserves an answer today.
It is easy to follow Jesus when the bread is multiplying. It is different when His Word begins confronting us. It is easy to praise God when prayers are answered exactly as we hoped. But what happens when the answer is no? What happens when we do not understand what God is doing? What happens when Scripture challenges our lifestyle, attitude, priorities or desires?
Will we also go away? Peter gave one of the greatest answers in Scripture: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
Peter did not say he understood everything Jesus had taught. He simply knew who Jesus was.
And perhaps that is the difference.
Some followed Jesus primarily because of what He could give them. Peter followed because he knew who Jesus was.
Think about everything Jesus has already done for you.
Think about the prayers He has answered, the needs He has supplied, the valleys through which He has carried you, the tears He has seen and the mercy He has shown.
Most importantly, think about Calvary.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
When we were guilty, He loved us. When we were lost, He came seeking us. When we could not save ourselves, He gave Himself for us.
So when life becomes difficult, do not leave Him. When you do not understand, do not leave Him. When His Word corrects you, do not leave Him. When others walk away, you stay.
Jesus still asks, “Will ye also go away?” After all He has done for us, may our answer be Peter’s:
“Lord, to whom shall we go?” There is nowhere better to go, than to Jesus!
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
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