John 6:66-69

The loyalty of the Twelve: V. 66. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. V. 67. Then said Jesus unto the Twelve, Will ye also go away? V. 68. Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. V. 69. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

In spite of the warning of Jesus, a great many of those that had followed Him for some time deliberately turned from Jesus and no longer accompanied Him on His preaching-trips. They gave up their adherence to Christ, they withdrew openly from His presence. They had not stood the test of faith.

It is ever thus. In the midst of the true believers there are always some whose faith is not sound, because it is not based upon the words and works of Jesus only.

Jesus now turned to the Twelve, to the apostles whom He had chosen with such great care. They were here weathering a crisis, and He put the question to them, as well that they might be confirmed in their faith, as that He might be gladdened by their confession of it. His words are partly a question, partly an affirmation: Surely you do not want to go away also!

And impetuous Peter, deeply moved by the defection of the great number, answers in the name of the Twelve: Lord, to whom shall we go away? The words of eternal life you havet; and we have believed and are certain in our knowledge that you are the Christ, the Holy One, the living Son of God, the Messiah of the world. The apostles had not taken offense at the words of Christ.

In the midst of apostasy and hostility the faith of the true believers is approved. It is at such times that they cling all the more closely to the Rock of their salvation, not in sentimental emotion, but in sound trust in His Word, the Gospel of eternal life. Everyone that has truly learned and gotten the firm conviction that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Redeemer of the world, has no intention, no desire to go away from Him. The truth and power of the word has fully taken possession of his heart and mind.