The Words of Eternal Life
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.”
John 6:66-68
The Lord’s words often seem so harsh. “Can he really mean what he said? Surely we can explain away his words with some new linguistic twist.” The gospel is offensive. The one who gives the gospel, more offensive still. But we will not be ashamed of the one who has the words of eternal life.
Throughout Scripture we come across teachings that are difficult to accept and understand. Far too often Christians will gloss over the hard parts, downplaying the significance of such passages. They turn their backs and walk away from this or that text. In the modern church there is an epidemic of frivolous folks who will not feast on the words of eternal life but will skim the surface lightly, dancing through the pages of Scripture for tidbits that stir their personal appetites.
True disciples will not turn away from the hard words of our Lord. What did Peter call Jesus’ words? Words of eternal life. Jesus Christ, the eternal Word has given us the words of Scripture for growth, encouragement, and conviction. May we be like the few who were faithful to all of Christ’s words and not like the many who turned aside and found more comforting teachers when Jesus said difficult things.
