True Following of Christ

The Lord is the unchangeable and faithful God, but people may be very changeable, as you can see in this chapter. In the morning, many people crossed the sea to see the Lord Jesus, but now they turned their backs upon Him. He had spoken about the bread of life and that He would give them His flesh to eat (verse 51). But they didn’t like One who would give His flesh and who would sacrifice Himself. He had also said that the flesh profiteth nothing. Again these words were not flattering and pleasant to them. He said that no man could come to Him unless it was given of His Father. Then they were offended. After the initial adoration they were disappointed. The Lord Jesus had spoken about following. That means sacrifice, surrendering, and suffering. That is a way of going downward instead of upward, when human work is placed outside as a ground of salvation. When He spoke about the sovereign pleasure of God, when His rights were emphasized, they were offended. Then we read, “From that time many of His disciples went back.” This was too much for them.

This is a warning also for us. Many of those who left were disciples. They had followed Him for a reason. We may follow Him because large crowds do it or for some other profit, as here in the eating of bread. Maybe they were impressed by His miracles. Others may have seen Him as a political leader or a social reformer. We may follow Him even to escape punishment or to be happy. But Christ has often warned against that false following. “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22). But He will say, “I never knew you.”

Then Jesus said, “Will ye also go away?” Christ desires no unwilling followers. Do you prefer to be with the crowds, or with the despised Master and with what seems to be a failing cause? Will ye also go away? For many do go away! They leave the church, the truth, and are carried away with the different winds of false doctrines. Others go back into the world because of their love of pleasure. Some are offended by the faithful ministry of God’s servants. Oh, may the Lord give such a faithful ministry. How blessed we are if we are so attracted by the beauty and loveliness of the Person of Christ that we cannot go away; but that we will gladly go forth out of the city, as Hebrews 13:13 says, “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” The disciples were true believers, but their faith was tested. Yet when God’s work is tested, it will appear more clearly, and the bond which He has laid will be felt the more. Peter answered with a blessed reply, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

He called Him “LORD,” showing respect for Jesus, acknowledging the dominion and authority of Christ. To whom will we go? Who is a teacher as Thou art? Whose ministry is so profitable to us? Oh, Peter knew: To whom shall he go?

- Not to the Pharisees. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.”

- Not to John the Baptist, who indeed pointed to Him, but who said, “I am but a voice.”

- Not to the law of Moses, which accuses, curses, and condemns the transgressor.

- Not to any creature, “For cursed is he who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm.”

- Not to our own righteousness, which is impure, imperfect, and can never justify us before God.

- Not to our tears of repentance, which will not satisfy the law and atone for us.

- Not to certain privileges we may enjoy. The Jews were circumcised, were Abraham’s seed, had a religious education, and had ceremonial services.

That is not where Peter wanted to go.

There is no other Savior than Christ to whom a poor sinner can look. There is no other Mediator between God and man who can bring those two parties together: God and the sinner. There is no other Physician for those who are sick to whom they can apply. There is no other Fountain of blood in which polluted souls can be washed and cleansed. There is no other city of refuge or stronghold to flee to for salvation. There is no other food than this Bread of life for hungry souls. Do you know this hunger? Have you learned to know that there is nothing else that can satisfy your hungry soul? Only His righteousness saves from death. There is no other place of rest for those who are heavy laden. There are no other store houses than those of this Preserver of life: Zaphnath-paaneah, the Greater Joseph.

Peter said, “To whom shall we go?” He realized that he could not save himself, but only Christ could. He said, “Thou hast the words of eternal life.” Peter was sure about it — the words of eternal life. For Christ is the Prophet who taught them the gospel, which reveals life and also gives an account of it — what it is — and points out a way of life. It is that word which the Lord uses as a quickening means and to the nourishment of this life.

“Thou hast the words of eternal life.” This is the life which Christ would merit by His atoning death. This is real life: a life to God’s honor and glory and in His fellowship. It is the life which He plants in the heart when He quickens the sinner. It is the life which He preserves and which He also will bring to its perfection. He will bring this life to its full glory in heaven.

Peter said, “We believe and are sure.” This is the right order: first faith, and then we are sure. Man wants to make sure first before he is ready to believe. But Peter received that true saving faith. He was not speaking about some imaginations or some changeable feelings. But “we believe,” which means, “this is our only hope, this is where we flee, this is where we take refuge, this is where we trust.”

Thou art the Christ, the Messiah, promised to the fathers, appointed by the Father. In Him is all-sufficiency. He is anointed with the Spirit from above without measure. In Him, poor, barren sinners will bring forth fruits.

We are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. John had testified of this. The Father’s voice from heaven had spoken it. They had experienced the power of it in their life. He is the only one, the only refuge. Even if everyone would go, Peter could not, neither would he.

Poor, needy souls know no other way, no other Name than that which we read in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

How necessary it is that we become a true follower of this Christ — not for the bread or for the miracles, not for heaven or for personal profit — but out of love to Him. But then it is necessary that our eyes be opened; that our enmity be removed; that we see our lost condition; that we know that outside of Him there is no life for us, but the eternal destruction of the soul; that He is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, for otherwise He is so hidden. There is a people who, when being asked, “Will you also go away?” say, “No, to whom shall we go?” To whom shall they go in all their misery and impossibilities? To whom shall they go also in this time of affliction and turmoil? Oh, let us not follow man, whoever it may be. Let us not follow even God’s servants or the children of God; for they also are fallible creatures. Let us be bound to the throne of grace for guidance and direction. To whom shall we go in time of perplexities, in time of separation? Oh, if we may come as Peter, honestly and uprightly. There is no other one for us than He who is fairer than the children of men, even if we are unworthy to be one of His followers. We should rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God and rather be a follower in the back than to follow the crowd, even the religious crowd, on their way to destruction.

There is a people who, when He is revealed to them, see so much in Him. He is almighty, unchangeable, omnipresent, merciful, wise, and full of compassion. He will save them. They desire to follow Him. This will also be evident in their testimony, in their witness. This people hath He formed for Himself, and they shall show forth His praise (Isaiah 43:21). This will also be seen in their walk.

A question to us: Who are we following? Who is our Guide? May this confession of Peter be known and practiced by us. “Hearken, O daughter, and consider” (Psalm 45:10). And then the King will greatly desire thy beauty, for He is thy Lord, and worship thou Him. There is yet place. Haste ye for your life’s sake. And children of God, to Him you may come as you are. You may go to Him with your utterly empty hands. He still stretches forth His hands unto all of us, “Turn ye unto Me, why would you die?” No one who, by grace, turns unto Him will He cast out. That is what those have experienced who came leprous, guilty and sinful; who came with the cry of their heart: Son of David, have mercy upon us.

May the Lord work this confession in many hearts. May He be our refuge, our hope, our Guide in all our ways. They who have Him are rich and truly blessed.

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