Who Else Can We Turn To?
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
In this reflection, I highlight Peter’s acknowledgment of Jesus as the sole source of eternal life, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in faith. Those who turn away from Christ are warned of severe consequences. The piece underscores that true fulfillment and guidance can only be found in Jesus, the Holy One of God.
So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to leave also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68).
This scene is in the synagogue as Jesus taught in Capernaum. Jesus had just said that to follow Him one must eat His flesh and drink His blood. It was a hard saying, and many left Jesus after that. He turned to His disciples and asked if they would leave too.
Peter famously answered as shown in the verse above.
Notice the phrasing. Peter didn’t say “Where would we go?” He didn’t say “What would we do if we left you?” He didn’t say “Why would we go?”
Peter said To WHOM shall we go. Peter knew (by the Spirit) that Jesus is the ONE. In fact in the next verse Peter said “we have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
Note, Those who leave Christ would do well to consider to whom they will go, and whether they can expect to find rest and peace any where but in him. Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible.
Falling away from Christ, leaving Him, knowing there is no other, causes a dire consequence for the one who departs-
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. (Psalm 73:27).
Indeed, who else is there?? Matthew Henry again-
“Whither shall we go? Shall we make our court to the world? It will certainly deceive us. Shall we return to sin? It will certainly destroy us. Shall we leave the fountain of living waters for broken cisterns?” The disciples resolve to continue their pursuit of life and happiness, and will have a guide to it, and will adhere to Christ as their guide, for they can never have a better. “Shall we go to the heathen philosophers, and become their disciples? They are become vain in their imaginations, and, professing themselves to be wise in other things, are become fools in religion. Shall we go to the scribes and Pharisees, and sit at their feet? What good can they do us who have made void the commandments of God by their traditions? Shall we go to Moses? He will send us back again to thee. Therefore, if ever we find the way to happiness, it must be in following thee.”
There is none other. Jesus is the Holy One of God. Once you have partaken of Him, His bread and His blood, do not leave Him for food that does not sustain, does not nourish, does not fulfill.
Jesus is the fulfillment of everything! Every prophecy, every historical moment, every providence, every promise. Life is from Him and for Him and by Him.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17).
Go to Jesus today. Read His word, pray, meditate upon Him. Take His bread, for it is life.
