Seeking Jesus First - March 24, 2026
“You Have the Words of Eternal Life”Please Read John 6:67–71 (NKJV)
Reflection
After the hard teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. The crowd had thinned. The enthusiasm had faded. The moment of decision had come.
Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked one of the most searching questions in all of Scripture: “Do you also want to go away?”
Simon Peter answered for the group with raw honesty and deep conviction: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This is true faith in its clearest form. Peter did not fully understand everything Jesus had said, yet he knew enough to stay. He recognized that Jesus alone had the words of eternal life. There was simply nowhere else to go. No other teacher, no other system, no other person could give what Jesus gives.
Jesus’ response is sobering. He said, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He was speaking of Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Him. Even among the inner circle, not everyone truly believed. Jesus knew from the beginning who would fall away.
In the Kingdom life, moments of apostasy test every believer. When the teaching gets hard, when the crowd leaves, when following Jesus costs something, each of us must answer the same question: “Do you also want to go away?”
True faith declares with Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” It is a personal, willful response amid widespread turning away. It chooses relationship with the Holy One of God over comfort, popularity, or understanding. It anchors the heart in the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and there is no other place to find eternal life.
Application
Today, hear Jesus asking you personally: “Do you also want to go away?” Be honest before Him. If any area of your life is tempted to pull back because the cost feels high or the truth feels hard, bring it to Him right now. Renew your mind with Peter’s confession: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Make a fresh declaration of your faith today. Choose to stay close to Jesus even when others walk away. Let your unwavering commitment become a testimony that strengthens someone else who is struggling to remain faithful.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, the Holy One of God, who alone has the words of eternal life. Thank You that in moments when many turn away, we can still choose to stay. Today we answer Your question with Peter’s words: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Strengthen our faith to remain when others leave. Renew our minds to trust You even when we do not fully understand. Keep us anchored in the truth that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Let our lives stand as a testimony of unwavering commitment in the midst of apostasy. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.