October 18, 2017. John 6. 

 

John 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Peter’s answer is a key for every human during their brief time on this earth.  Assuming they believe in the concept of eternal life, a person will either believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life, or they will believe there is another way of obtaining this life.

The implication of Peter’s question is that there is only one “place” to find the words of eternal life, the Lord. His statement explains why Jesus is the only One, the only “place,” to find the words of eternal life.

John 6:69 “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Who else or where else would one turn to find out about eternity.  No human can truly fathom eternity.  In fact if one person could, we all should be able.  But we are unable.  The only One to turn to for the words of eternal life is someone who has shown, by the things He has done, that He knows about a realm of life we cannot possibly duplicate.

Jesus has shown that He can take five barley loaves and two small fish and feed over five thousand men, women and children with plenty left over.  He has shown that He can indeed walk on water.

Only One who is the Christ, the Son of the living God could do this.  Only Christ, the Son of the living God has the words of eternal life.

Throughout this chapter are these eternal life words.  Many are picturesque words of eating Jesus as the bread from heaven enabling a person to live forever. (John 6:58)

But these picturesque words are all summed up in the will of God found in these words of Jesus,

John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

God’s will is for everyone to believe:

• Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
• The words of eternal life spoken by His Son for the present, that will impact the future. 
• So if they die physically, the day will come when Jesus will raise them up, to live eternally.

In today’s narrative, we are shown two ways we can respond to Jesus.  

John 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

John 6:69 “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

One way we can respond is to walk away from Jesus and His words, now and forever.

The other way we can respond is the way God would want us to respond. We personally, have come to believe and know Jesus Christ and we listen to and follow His words of eternal life.