John 6:68 - To Whom Shall We Go?

I almost always refer to the Bible in these devotionals. Can't we just as easily find comfort and inspiration from any number of greeting cards, plaques, books, and even other religious texts?

My father once gave me the quote, "Truth is where you find it." But then, my dad also taught me that the only source of reliable truth--all the truth I need for "life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3)--is found in Jesus Christ and in the word of God.

In the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus explained that He is the Bread of Life, the only source of eternal life (John 6:48-50). As positive as that sounds, His listeners had difficulty accepting it. As a result, many of the people who had been following Jesus--people who had been known as His disciples, many of them "turned away and deserted Him." (John 6:66, New Living Translation, 2015)

“So Jesus said to the twelve [the inner circle of disciples] 'Do you want to go away as well?' 68 Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'” John 6:67–69 (English Standard Version)

Peter was speaking on behalf of himself and the rest of the twelve disciples. But that inner circle included Judas. And so,

“Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.' He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.” (John 6:70-71.)

Knowing about Jesus isn't the same as trusting Jesus Himself.

Lord, there are many options for finding inspiration and guidance in life. But they leave us empty and cold. Where else can we go to find the "words of eternal life?" Thank you for entrusting us with those words of life; make us worthy and loyal followers of You. Amen.