To Whom Shall We Go

I was just turning pages in my Bible looking for a certain verse when one of the section headlines caught my eye.  It read, "Many Disciples Desert Jesus."  I have read this section more than once before, but it was not the verse I was looking for.  For some reason, however, it stuck with me, and I found myself coming back to it to read again.  Jesus had just given his disciples some difficult teaching that many of them were having a hard time accepting.  Being aware of their thoughts and uncertainty, Jesus doesn't back away and John records that many who had been following turned away.

It was at this point that Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave as well.  Peter speaks up and actually gives a great response, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."  A powerful statement of faith and commitment, but it makes me wonder what was different about the Twelve who remained and the others who left?

I believe the answer is found in the first sentence of Peter's reply, "to whom shall we go?".  The Twelve that Jesus called had left everything to follow him.  They got up from their jobs and just walked away.  They had given up everything to be disciples.  These other followers were those that came to see the miracles and hear this new teaching.  It seems to me that they hadn't given up everything so it was easier for them to leave and go back.

This is something we see still at work today.  Many people can be attracted to certain aspects of following Jesus.  They may like the worship, the fellowship, activities or whatever.  However, let them hear some teaching that hits a little too close to home or asks too much of them, and they will just walk away.  They turn back to all the things they didn't leave in order to be a disciple.

It is the very reason the rich young ruler went away sad.  Jesus told him to give up the one thing that he knew would always be more important to this man and would be his safety net, his wealth.  Jesus knew he would not be completely committed and would easily turn away as long as he trusted in anything other than Jesus.

What about you?  To whom or to what do you turn other than Jesus?  The Twelve had no place else to go.  They had put all of their eggs in one basket so to speak.  Are you completely surrendered to the Savior or should things not go as you wish could you just walk away?  Half-hearted or part-time discipleship has never been an option with Jesus.  He gave himself completely for you and he demands all of you in return.