John 6:68:

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”

Jesus had just delivered some hard teachings. In response, many of those who were part of the crowd that followed Him turned back and left Him. Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Will you also go away?” In response, Peter gave the answer that is the Fred List entry for today.

I know I’ve written on this passage before, but this morning God is bringing me back to it. I get the feeling that this is a slightly different approach this morning and so please bear with me. It seems to be a message worth repeating, and there are probably some who need to be reminded of it.

Following Jesus gets tough at times. We need to make the determination in our lives to stay the course. Those who know us know that my wife, Bev, was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of months ago. We look back and ask, “Has it only been a couple of months? It seems so much longer.” Being in the middle of a trial is always hard, and the time seems to drag during the trial. I think it is important to face your fears, and be honest with your feelings when going through trials as this lets God do His best work in your life and through your life.

We had a subtle warning from God before this happened. Our Church bulletin had a devotional in it the week before Bev got her diagnosis. It mentioned that some of us would go through losing our hair. Bev had the feeling the message was for her. The diagnosis confirmed it. She struggled with the fact that she might lose her hair. We asked for God’s Will and I asked everyone to pray for one of two things: 1) that God would let her keep her hair; or 2) that God would give her the strength to endure the loss of her hair.

You and many others prayed believing just as I did. God gave His answer night before last; and she noticed her hair was starting to fall out. This is not to say God did not answer your prayers. It is not to say your prayers were not effective. It is just that God’s Will is being done; and so now the focus is on praying for God to give her the strength to endure the loss of her hair.

This will be difficult for her, but we now know it is the Will of God. We asked God to demonstrate His Will. He has the power to preserve her hair; but for some reason it is part of His Will that she goes through this valley of trials as well.

Cancer seems to be at epidemic proportions in our small Church our pastor is coming out of his chemo phase. The week after Bev’s diagnosis a young man also received the cancer diagnosis. Yesterday a close brother in the Lord shared his wife just got the diagnosis. We need to pray. However, our prayers should not be to avoid the Will of God in our lives. It should be for God to give us the strength to accept His Will in our lives. We never want to be fighting God.

These are the hard teachings. This is the harsh reality of following our Lord. There are no promises that we will not suffer, struggle or even die as part of God’s Will in our lives. Those who teach such things are ignoring major portions of Scripture dealing with Job and Paul. The promise is that God is in control during these times. He sets the limits. He is not doing this without a purpose. And that God will use it to further His Will and purpose. We will grow through it; but we still must go through it.

So as we look at the road ahead of us, it is like this passage of Scripture. Jesus has revealed some hard things for us. The flesh wants to turn away. We mistakenly believe that by turning from our faith this trial will end. It won’t. But Jesus looks at us when the news is delivered: “You have cancer.” “You’re losing your hair.” “You’ve just lost your job.” “You’re now broke.” “You’re going to lose your home.” “Someone you love has just died.” This is the reality of the world. These are the truths we are dealing with. We cannot ignore them. God’s trials hit you right in the face and wake you up. You reevaluate your life and your faith and your God. Jesus sees our reaction. He knows the fear creeping into our lives and asks, “Will you also go away?”

Are we willing to commit to following Him knowing the price? Peter’s response is the only honest response we can make. “Where else can we go?” There is nowhere else. If we turn from Jesus, we turn from someone who loves us so much He died to save us. He gave up Heaven and became a man to redeem us. If we turn from Him the only other option is a cold, cruel, uncaring world.

As believers we do not walk this valley alone unless we choose to. We can push everyone away, or we can reach out to Jesus and let Him walk with us. We can share with Christian brothers and sisters and they take our hand, give us a hug, and you see your pain in their eyes as they choke back a sob and say, “We’re praying for you.” And you know they mean it.

Where else can we go? There is no where else to turn. Trials force us to turn to Jesus. They force us to cling to Him as He wraps His arms around us and gives us His warmth, His strength and His compassion. We’re still going through, but He’s going through it with us.

Finally, He has the Words of Life. The words of the doctor, or the world are not Words of Life. They are, at best, words of death. They cannot give us hope. They cannot reassure us we will get through. The world lacks the power to fulfill on its promises. Jesus has that power. He will deliver. When He speaks, His promises carry the power of the Words of Life.

So as you hear the news. As Jesus reveals to you the cost of being His follower, stop and count the cost; but there are two prices before us. We will pay one or the other. If we choose to follow Jesus, the trial lies ahead. But Jesus will be there with you giving you the strength to endure and to go on. Or you turn away and face it alone. Where else can we go? Where else can you go? There is nowhere else that makes any sense of it all except for to continue to follow our Lord who loves us so. Only He has the Words of Life and can fulfill His promises.

Dennis