The Joy of Glory

John 6:60-69 (click here to read the entire passage)
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, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69)

Reflection
I was fed up.

I don’t remember exactly what had upset me, but I’d had enough. I was five years old and home alone with my siblings and something they’d done or said just set me off. I packed a small backpack of supplies, grabbed my school mat that was for kindergarten naptime, and I hit the road!

That’s right! I was running away! But to where?

Where would I go?

The reality of the situation is that there was nowhere else for me to go. I had no other home. I had no other parents. I had no other family. My home was the place and my family were the people who sought to sustain my life out of love.

So many people in this world live with my five-year-old mindset! They have packed up “the meaning of life,” placed it on their own back, and set out to find their own path. But to where?

Where will they go?

The reality of the situation is that there is nowhere for any of us to go for meaning, purpose, joy, satisfaction, life other than to God himself. We have no other creator. We have no other sustainer. We have no other savior. Jesus Christ and his Words of life alone can give us true life!

This is what Peter proclaims in John 6, as many who once followed Christ turn back because they find his words to be hard. Even still, Peter sees the reality of the situation in that no matter how hard Jesus’ words may sound, they are the only words of eternal life! So, he won’t go to anyone else!

Shades, everyday there are a million different voices speaking a million different words… all of them attempting to woo your heart to trust in them for what you truly need. Don’t be deceived! No one has the words of eternal life but Christ!

Even right now, as we face difficult days… yes, we need to be informed… but now more than ever we need to know there is nowhere else to go for true life besides Christ! No one else can give you the Words that he can… words of true life… words of eternal life.

Where will we go in these days and always?

We will go to Jesus.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.