“You do not want to leave too, do you?” John 6:67
People often walk into my wife’s small gift shop looking for that perfect gift. Some find it and go away with joy. Others, however, find the item they want, but put it back. “Too expensive,” they say, “I would never pay that much.”
Crowds flocked with enthusiasm to hear Jesus, but it did not last. His disciples must value Him above their own life, He said, and some of the crowd drifted away. His mission would involve suffering, He said, and even more drifted away. I will be crucified, He said, and all but a few fled in fright.
It was one thing to follow a man who looked like the next King of Judea. It was quite another to follow a man heading toward a cross and crucifixion.
Eventually Jesus turned to His twelve closest followers and asked, “Do you want to go away as well?” His friend Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
In a world where death is the universal fate of everyone living, you would think that these words would be a treasure of value beyond all price. Jesus is the One who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
And yet many turn away. They conclude that it would cost too much to believe, require too much to follow, provide too little in return. It is either no treasure at all or one too costly to buy.
Too expensive? Are you crazy? It’s eternal life! “Take hold of the life that really is life” (1 Timothy 6:19).
Lord, I turn to You with all my imperfections, weaknesses, doubts, and failings. You have the life that I need. I want to live for You forever. Amen.
Take Action
Turn toward Jesus this week no matter how much you feel like turning away. In Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3) and He has—for you—the words of eternal life.