The Words Of Life

John 6:66-69 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 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.”


Jesus did not hold back from expressing the essence of God's truth. If you have read the gospels you know that Jesus teaching is not easy. His words are challenging and his claims about himself difficult to comprehend at times. Some of those who followed him left at those moments. It's kind of like the last best super recommended absolutely guaranteed weight loss plan. It seems so good that it is easy to jump in both feet, but when we really look at the requirements we abandon the plan in a hurry. I've found that many weight loss plans work when people follow the requirements, but they fail when people fail to follow the plan. Usually they quit with excuses that it is too hard or maybe even impossible with their life. It was the same with the loose followers of Jesus. They went their own way when the teaching got tough.


Those who stayed knew there was no place else for them to go. They had seen to much, experienced too much. felt too much to leave now. The same is true for those of us who have had a close encounter with Jesus. Where would we go? What could possibly compare to what we've already found. Even as the teaching and sayings make hard challenges for our lives, the love and grace abundantly carry us. You see some of us really know that he is the Holy One of God, the one with the words of life.