Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?

John 6:66-68

INTRODUCTION: We may all be able to answer with Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John6:68). It was a profound question and a profound answer. Both the question and the answer are profoundly relevant to all who hear them and who should be able to echo Peter’s answer today.  Peter’s answer is worthy of note. He said in effect, “Lord, how could we leave You? You teach the doctrines which lead to eternal life. If we leave You, there is no one else to whom we could go. To leave You would be to seal our doom.”

In the apostle Peter’s confession of faith he gives expression to two points. First, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16). Secondly. “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). In these two statements we have the foundation of our salvation and eternal blessing, namely, WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS.

I. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO WITH OUR SIN?
Who can relieve this consciousness of sin? Who can relieve the aching heart. Who can speak peace to a sinful soul? Who. CHRIST alone. “There is none other name… whereby we must be saved.”

2. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO FOR ASSURANCE OF LIFE?
When all around is so unreliable, we want something like a rock on which to build our faith. Our Lord is that Rock. We can listen to One who is the TRUTH to our heart’s content. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (John 3:14-16).

3. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO WITH OUR SORROW?
Who can heal a broken heart? Who can relieve the grief of a bereaved soul? See how God could comfort the weeping mothers of Jerusalem when their children were slain by a cruel king (Jer. 31:16; Matt. 2:16).

4. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO FOR GUIDANCE?
In all the perplexities of life when we know not which way to take, can we say, “Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel,” and will He not say, “I will counsel thee with Mine eye upon thee” (Psa. 73:24; 32:8).

5. TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
If you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior—then there is no way for you to go but forward. A threefold cord binds you to him. Peter speaks of it. First, there is nowhere else to go. Peter acknowledged this in the tone of his question. There were many religious options in Peter’s day. They might turn to the mystical paganism that Jesus would soon show them at Caesarea Philippi, with its exotic pleasures for the mind and body. They might go back with this crowd to the religious legalism of Judaism. But if they were to find a divine salvation that truly meets the needs of sinners and brings us to God, there would be no alternative to Jesus Christ. He is the only true Savior; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), he claimed.

Second, you have learned that there is satisfaction in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and that true satisfaction can be found in him only. Peter said, “You have the words of eternal life.” This reminds us that Jesus is the true Giver of Life. Eternal life comes through a trusting relationship with Jesus, including present satisfaction for the soul and unending glory in the life to come. This, too, had been a lesson of Jesus’ miracle. The same Jesus who had been able to feed a vast crowd with a few fish and loaves can also meet the needs of our souls. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Peter’s answer echoed back in faith: “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). That is the conviction from which faith always proceeds.

Thirdly, as Peter says, “We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Thus, to go back now would be not only a crisis of faith; it would be intellectual suicide and dishonesty. It cannot be done.

Conclusion:

Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” This has reference to the thought of going back, and Peter is expressing his view that having once come to Jesus such a thing is unthinkable. Is it unthinkable to you? Or would you consider turning back? You say, “I am so discouraged right now, I think I might.” Well, then, let me ask this: What would you go back to? Is there anything in your past that can compare with Jesus?

This passage focuses on a large group of men who’ve taken the title of disciple, and it reveals some key differences between true and false disciples of Jesus Christ. What is a disciple of Jesus? We discover in the book of John that a disciple is someone who believes on Jesus and continues to follow him. We find some who are called disciples for a time eventually stop following Christ, and the lesson we’re supposed to learn is that some who call themselves Christians are not. Some who appear to follow Jesus for a while eventually reveal themselves to be false disciples when they turn from following Him. David asked, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Ps. 139:7-10).

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