John 6:53-54, 66-69
So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon 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.
The situation was like this: many people followed Jesus to receive what they needed. Jesus was known as the healer and deliverer; everyone willfully followed him. One day Jesus told his followers what the conditions were to follow him to receive God’s best. At this point, many of the disciples turned away and deserted Jesus. Jesus returned to his 12 key disciples and asked them, “Are you also going to leave?” This is a question that we must answer today. It is easy to confess we are following Jesus when everything appears to be going great, but when we are confronted with acting on the word, when we are tempted, will we leave the word and do what we feel or think is best? Will we leave the word of God when we must forgive someone who intentionally wrong you? My friend, it is easy to say, “I am a Christian. I’m a Believer and I will follow the Lord,” when we are not challenged. Peter said he would follow Jesus even if it cost him his life, but he failed and denied he knew Jesus.
Thank God for the Holy Ghost. We can master every test, temptation, and trial and follow the instructions given to us in the word because Holy Spirit will help us. We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit empowering us to be victorious. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we will turn and leave when we are challenged with acting on the word, but because of Holy Spirit, we can stand strong in the Lord and win in life. No, we are not going to leave, we will stand and be victorious!
Prayer – Thank you, Father, for giving me the grace to stand. I will stand and not turn away from acting on the word. In Jesus’ name!