To whom would I go?

In John 6, Jesus taught a pretty complex lesson, and those listening were very confused. It was a large crowd and He had many disciples following Him aside from the twelve. Having been offended by what Jesus was teaching, verse sixty-six tells us that many of them deserted Him.  I’m not going to use this post to dive into what Jesus said; I would need a lot more space to do that. Rather, I would like to focus on Peter’s response to the situation. Jesus turned to the twelve remaining disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know you are the Holy One of God.”  To whom would we go? When everyone else left because they didn’t understand, these twelve stayed. WHY??? Because even though they too were likely having a hard time understanding what Jesus was talking about, they did know one thing: He was the real deal. They had seen enough of who Jesus really was to know that there was no one else like Him. They didn’t know of anyone to whom they could confidently surrender their lives. Peter was aware that there was something more true about this man he had been called to follow than anyone or anything he had previously met or experienced.  When I think about what I would do without Jesus, I often have the same response. What on earth would I do in times of trouble if I didn’t have His strength to rely on? What other teacher or book has offered me more truth to build my life on than Jesus and His word? How many times do I try to find fulfilment and satisfaction in things that just let me down? I am struck with how well Peter’s response verbalizes the feelings I have when I imagine turning back now.  I look back at my life very often. I spend a lot of time in reflection. And, every time I do, I am overwhelmed with gratitude at how far the Lord has brought me. The anger, selfishness, and addiction that used to rule my life so strongly seems so foreign to me. I am dumbfounded when I think of the person I used to be. He is the single and greatest source of everything I could ever need. The more I have given Him my life, the more I have seen Him move in ways I am so undeserving of seeing.  Do you feel this way? When you imagine following someone else, do you ask Peter’s question? Take some time this week to meditate on this. Have you truly understood who Jesus really is and is He so crucial to your life that nothing else seems more necessary than relationship with Him?