July 21, 2021 -- John 6:66-67 -- Who else can we run to, who else but Jesus?!

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
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.”
John 6:66-67 ESV

Interesting how Peter answered the question. It is almost the response of a lawyer! He didn’t actually say, “No, we don’t want to leave you Jesus”. Nor did Peter say, “Yes, we want to stay with You.” Basically Peter realized, as he spoke for the rest of the disciples, that there was no where else to go. No one else is reputable. No one else is true. No one else is God, the Holy One, Who has the power of life and the power of death.

Why did the others leave off of following Jesus? It was because his words were hard. It would require the Spirit of God to transform a believer completely—all the old would be torn down and would pass away and the new would be brought in by the Spirit as the Word of Jesus is applied to every area of life. Unless Jesus, by His Spirit increases my will and my capacity for obedience, I too would turn away.

Jesus continued, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve?” As those chosen by the love of the Father from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) to be in Christ Jesus, work out your salvation with joy and hope. Push past the days of “I don’t feel like it” by asking the Spirit for all help necessary. I often don’t feel like doing laundry, or dishes, or mowing the lawn…you get the point. We do many things we don’t feel like doing. What is so amazing is the satisfaction God gives us when a task is done. A mown lawn smells so good and looks good. Laundry cleaned and folded adds pleasure to a day—once it is done.

We have no where else to go, no one else to go to. Yet, where else would we ever want to go? Jesus is sent by the Father to give life, hope, joy, truth, peace. As we believe in Him, so He confirms in us His goodness and blessedness. It is work to follow Jesus. He claimed us as His Own—and our lives are then lived out in response, working out our salvation with fear and trembling awe!

THE THRONE

O God of My Delight,
 
Thy throne of grace
   is the pleasure ground of my soul.
Here I obtain mercy in time of need,
   here see the smile of thy reconciled face,
   here joy pleads the name of Jesus,
   here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit,
   anoint the shield of faith,
   put on the helmet of salvation,
   gather manna from thy Word,
   am strengthened for each conflict,
   nerved for the upward race,
   empowered to conquer every foe;
Help me to come to Christ
   as the fountain head of descending blessings,
   as a wide open flood-gate of mercy.
Prayer from: The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions "The Throne", opening sentences of the prayer. Page 272.

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