To Whom Shall We Go?

Jesus had a large following as long as He fed them with loaves and fishes and healed their diseases. But when Jesus demanded that they receive Him completely into their hearts and accept His blood for their cleansing, they began to disappear.

John records the following conversation when Jesus challenged his own disciples. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:67-69).

People today have not changed much. People still want all the benefits without the commitment. And we are people.

If we are not going to follow Jesus, then who are we going to follow?

In spite of the fact that we like to think of ourselves as independent and self-sufficient, we do end up following something or someone. If we are unwilling to fully receive Jesus, then where are we going to go? There are really only two choices—follow Jesus or turn our backs on Him. If we turn our backs on Him, we are then adrift in a cruel and heartless world that will lead us to eternal destruction.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Receiving Jesus as our Savior and Lord is our only hope of coming to the Father and reaching an eternal home with Him. All other ways lead away from Him. To whom shall we go? Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). And so it is!

—Silas Martin