TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
#565 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
Scripture John 6:60-69 Orig. Date 6/7/1970, 11/1986
Rewr. Dates 9/6/1990
Passage: 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Purpose: Continuing a series from John’s Gospel, here using Simon’s single expression to relate to a broader perspective of his life
Keywords: Biography Simon Peter Frustration Bible Study John Dissolution Hope Vision
Timeline/Series: John
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what the world might be like if Jesus had never lived? Would we be richer, or poorer?
First and foremost, we must eliminate the New Testament. Probably, we would be advanced enough to enjoy printing. Probably, but no New Testament.
We might know about a book called the covenant of the Jews, but we doubtless would know little about it. Such writers as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John would be unknown to us. Simon Peter would ever have been more than a fisherman, a poor one. Whatever else we know about the New Testament.
As to history, Rome would not have remained world power for as long as she did. As it was, an expanding China drove the Huns out of central Europe. Their expulsion brought confrontation with the Roman legions. When the confrontation came, Rome had an emperor, Constantine, who had become a believer. Without such a man, Rome very likely would not have stood.
In regard to academics, without the New Testament the revival of learning would have been appreciably delayed. Say what you will in regard to the efforts of Catholicism. Saint Benedict and the monastic order must be given major credit for learning.
So far as the Middle Ages are concerned, had Rome escaped the Huns, they had yet to face the Mohammedans. They captured all of Spain as it was. They were finally defeated in 732 at Tours by Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne.
And a word more about America. The America we know today would not exist. Surely settlers would by now have come, but not in search of their spiritual destiny. If Jesus had not come, what would your life be like today? To whom would we go?
I. In the Actual Setting of the Question, Peter Sees the Hope of Great Promise. “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”
Surely, Simon knew of other available alternatives. Truly, he was raised in Judaism. Though it meant little to him, he overlooked sham, pretense. There was a kind of pride in religion. The pride that would do in Rome; that would bring France, under Napoleon, to her knees; that would nearly destroy 20th Century Europe through German’s fuhrer.
Or, seeing Judaism for what it was, he had the choice of Hellenism (Greek culture/religion). Alexander the Great had brought the Greeks to the top of the heap. They still yielded great influence.
But the greater power, influence, was Rome. Sell out to Rome as some were doing. Join the militant movement opposed. Peter’s question is ours as well, but ask we it to the same end? We know more of Jesus than first converts knew. That what He claimed, he lived, and His call to us as disciples is for commitment.
We, also, are surrounded by alternatives. Ancient religions: Buddhism, Hinduism. Sects unknown 25 years ago: daughter, 3 children with Jim Jones. Communism is hardly a viable alternative: socialism, materialism, humanism remain.
Acts 17:22 “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.” TEV/rlgs.
II. A Few Months Later, Peter’s Sense of Destiny is Threatened at Calvary. Luke 22:54 “They took Him, and led Him, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.”
The words of the question have not changed “To whom shall we go.” The meaning may now be different. What will we do now? Do we tuck tail? Do we conclude we were wrong? Fight?
In some instances what is seen as high hope fades fast. If hope is all, our diet is slim. Psalm 73: Asaph: “Verily, I had cleansed my heart in vain, . . . my hands in innocence.” I Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope, we are a sad spectacle.”
Some of God’s choice have faltered. Joshua 7:7 “Would to God we had been content to stay where we were.” Elijah: I King 19 “O Lord, take away my life for I am no better than my fathers.”
There is a very old tradition at Princeton that revival was underway. A student, night after night, heard and rejected appeals. Went to his room and announced to God his intention to follow another course. His name: Aaron Burr.
If Peter and the others had wanted to give up, they now had reason to do so. “To whom will we go?” It doesn’t get easier. More difficult than ever. To follow Christ in the nineties is to go against wind and tide.
III. Peter Must Next Learn that Knowledge of Christ Alive Will not Drive Away His Despair. John 21:21 “Peter . . . saith . . . what shall this man do?” The call has come to him to be a man. Simon has seen about all there is to see of the Christ event: preaching, parables, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection.
Having seen that much, he knows Christ to be alive. He calls Him “Lord.” Literally, it means “sovereign.” It’s the same as in 6:68. Surely he knows more now than then.
Surely, we do not rule out the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already appeared to them. Simon said 21:3 “I go a fishing.” The Holy Spirit given to empower them (20:22) “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” They are still ruled by self-interest. Jesus’ three questions of trust. Simon’s ploy: “What about this man?”
Getting hemmed in by grace, he tries to make someone else responsible.
IV. In the Final Analysis, However, the Question for Peter is One of Vision. “To whom shall we go?” becomes a lifestyle for a committed man. Not unlike that of Isaiah: 6:8 “Here am I, Lord, send me!” The Book of Acts is credence for this opinion. During first twelve chapters, Simon Peter was the recognized leader. 3:6 His was the answer to the lame man: “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee.” 4:8 After their arrest, Peter defended their position: “there is none other name under heaven.”
Something, in the meantime, has happened in Peter’s life to make this difference. He stopped trying to reason out what was happening around him. He faithed that the power of God, where ever it was leading, was in his interest. He realized that it was not for him to prove God’s power, but to accept it. As an old man: I Peter 5:6 “Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, THAT HE may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.”
Conclusion
Somerset Maugham (British novelist): “The great tragedy of life is not that people perish, but that they cease to love.” (1) It is God’s will that others experience his love through us.
Charlemagne directed his only surviving son, Louis, to claim his throne from off the altar with his own hands so that all would understand that he wore it on his own right and not under his authority but that of God.
(1)Maugham, W.S. (1898). The Making of a Saint. Boston: L.C. Page and Co.