Tough Love

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have I not chosen you twleve, and one of you is a devil?  John 6:63-70

The Words of Eternal Life

From John 6:22, the story unfolds of Jesus beginning to teach the people that he was the living bread that came down from heaven, which is greater than the bread given to Moses and the people. In this discourse he reveals himself as the Son of God, and the living bread that gives eternal life to the world. I advise going to your bible, and reading the entire chapter. 

In this devotion, I'll zero in on the verses between Jesus and the people standing there, and his disciples. When he sees them begin to murmur among themselves, and turn away, he asks them a very direct, hard question. In today's language we can call it "tough love". 

He deals with the intents of their hearts, and the motives for why they were following Him in the first place, He reveals to them that the only reason they were following Him, was for their own profit and gain. His words hit home, and finally he speaks to the most important issue. He turns to the twelve disciples he had chosen and said "Will you also go away?"

This cut right through every attempt of pretense, in these few words he was asking them to their faces:
Will You abandon me? - you, whom I have distinguished with innumerable marks of my affection - you, whom I have chosen out of the world to be my companions, - you, to whom I have revealed the secrets of the eternal world - you, who have been witnesses of all my miracles - you, whom I intend to sit with me on my throne in glory; will You go away? 

Now, let's put the spotlight on His blistering question, and direct it to those who may be here on this website, and probe a little further.

Reader, in what state are you? Have you gone back from Christ, or are you going back? Will you go? You, whom I have  redeemed by My blood - you, whom I have upheld by My power, and fed by My providence - you, into whose wounded soul I have poured the balm of pardoning mercy - you, whom I have adopted into the heavenly family - you, whom I has comforted in so many tribulations and adversities - you, whose multiplied offenses I have freely and fully pardoned; will you go away? God doesn't compel people to follow him or remain with Him against their will. Every person is given the same question-and only you can answer it. Will you or will you not go away. Jesus leaves the door open at all times, and it's you, who must choose.

In hearing this, Peter speaks the profound truth all of us come to know, when God's searchlight deals with our hearts. "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." 

In this question all of this could be added:
To the scribes and Pharisees? They are blind guides.
To the heathen philosophers? Their foolish hearts are darkened.
To the Law? It thunders above our guilty heads its anathema.
To the world? It has proved itself deceitful.
To the ways of sin? The end of them is death.

Peter's reply came from the depths of his soul, and the words spoke volumes, and was bathed in the love that had developed in him, as he had followed Jesus, and watched him doing good, and healing all who had come to Him. He had gotten a glimpse of the truth of Jesus' words, and knew he was the Son of God, even if he could not completely fathom the truth of it.

Peter's answer is an example of all disciples. As sinners, we need the forgiveness of God. Christ is the only on who can give us this blessing, and the assurance of eternal life.

As sinners, we need sanctification, guidance, support, and consolation, no one but Christ can give this.
We will live in one of two places in eternity-either heaven or hell. Peter's answer reveals the truth that Christ alone has the words of eternal life. He alone, has the keys of heaven and hell.

Peter's noble confession, came from a pious heart and from love for the Savior. He would not forsake him, whatever the outcome. The Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes were corrupt. Jesus' words and doctrines were mysterious, and hard to understand, but, they were the only ones that could save them, and they chose Christ, because of His life and the miracles they could not discount, were proof of who Jesus was, the Son of the Living God.

Now, from this, Jesus continues on, and says something equally hard to hear, "Have I now chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?"

To break this down, He was directly speaking the truth to Satan himself, and exposing him to all who were standing there, as a warning. The meaning of his words were clear-Have I not called you to believe in my name, and chosen you to be my disciples and the proclaimers of my doctrine? However, one of you is a devil, the accuser, working on the side of Satan, who was a murderer from the beginning. He was openly exposing the heart of the one who would betray him, Judas, without speaking his name. But the devil in him knew Christ was directing his words to him, and confronting his envy, malice, and his treasonous heart. He was confronting his enemy, in the spirit realm.

Lessons For All of Us

You could study these verses and cross reference them for many days, and glean much from them. But, for this short post, here's some main things we can learn from these verses.

Our Lord could say  to each of us who profess to be His disciple, "Will you go away"?

And, for those of the world, examine your heart and soul, and ask yourself:
For two thousand years I have accomplished the work of man's redemption. Your salvation has been purchased, the door of the Kingdom of heaven has been set open, but yet, age after age and year after year, man has refused to be saved. The way of eternal life has been thrown open to millions in vain. Will you also go away? Will you also despise the riches of God's goodness and the precious blood of Christ, which purchased your salvation? Will you continue to go after your own desires, after the idols of your own heart, and not be saved? Then, in the end, find yourself in hell for all eternity?

In these verses we see Jesus using tough love. Direct, honest, soul searching questions that cut through all pretensions. We are left to examine our souls-and give our answers. When you do, where will you stand with Jesus?
Lorna Couillard