Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Text: St. John 6:51-69, but especially these words –

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

           Decisions, especially important ones, are not easily made. We can understand and sympathize with anyone who says – “I’m really having a hard time making up my mind.” Usually that means the person is trying to work with the problem, get all the facts, and then come up with the correct conclusion or make the right decision.

           The disciples in the text for today were also making decisions. And individually, they each made a decision – one that affected their spiritual lives and their eternal welfare. And because you and I are concerned about our spiritual and eternal destiny, it’s important to look at the facts presented to us today in this word from the Holy Scriptures.

           We don’t know how many people were involved in the incident that St. John presents to us. But they were people who had listened to Jesus proclaim the message of salvation. Preceding the text, our Lord had told them – “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

           Jesus here was referring to the fact that He was indeed the Son of God in the flesh, who had come as the Savior of the world. He had taken the form of one of the creatures of creation – in order to pour out His blood for the salvation of all. But those who heard Jesus responded – “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

           Perhaps our first reaction to these words would have been much the same. We may agree that it’s hard to understand and comprehend what Jesus was talking about. But what follows demonstrates that understanding wasn’t really the problem for these people. Slowly, one after another, they began to realize something else. Jesus’ teaching was hard because this Man standing in front of them was claiming – “I am the Messiah, the Savior.” They also realized that they had to respond to His claim. They had to answer the question – “Is He really the Savior, or isn’t He?”

           This meant that they would have to reach a decision. As long as Jesus performed miracles that attracted attention, they were intrigued – because our Lord was unique. And He had a new way of presenting things. He offered them a change from the rather monotonous routine of daily life.

           But now Christ was presenting these followers with a choice. If He really was who He said He was, if the only way to eternal life was to receive Him as true God in the flesh, and if they were going to continue to follow Him, they were going to have to change a lot of their ideas. They were also going to have to change their lives. You see, they understood what Jesus was saying – probably far better than they wanted to. For them, as it has been for everyone since then, the decision had to be made on the basis of what they knew and understood.

           Today, there are far more people who leave Jesus Christ because they do understand what He is saying – than leave because they don’t understand. There are far more people who have left the church and are no longer seen there because they do understand what’s being proclaimed – than leave because they’re confused about the message of God.

           The disciples who left made a decision. But Jesus also knew that some of them were having problems deciding. So, our Lord presented them with another situation – “Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” He could have done it. But instead, Jesus said to them – “That’s not the important thing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

           For Christ knew that a faith that’s fed on miracles and depends on visions is always going to be hungry for more and will never be satisfied. So, He offers them not miracles or visions, but Himself – “Eat my flesh and never hunger, drink of the living water and never thirst.” This is what the Savior has come to give. The people heard and were considering what He was saying. They were making their decision.

           Finally, Jesus looked at all of His disciples, some of whom had probably been walking with Him for some time. He knew that some would continue to walk with Him for a while longer. One would go all the way to the Upper Room. He would still be there, keeping up an appearance, before he too would go his own separate way. You see, Christ knew that some followed Him for the wrong reasons. He also knew that the time was coming when they would have to make their decision. And that decision would be either to turn and go their own way – or to trust in Him as their Savior, the Redeemer of the world, and the Lord of their lives. And St. John tells us – “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” They had simply chosen to go their own way.

           We don’t have to go much farther than here in imagining how the people may have left Him. How many of you haven’t noticed that the place where a particular family or individual always seemed to sit in church has been vacant for some time? Or, in conversation, the question is asked – “Where has so-and-so been lately?” And you realize that you no longer see that person around.

           Yes, it still goes on today, doesn’t it? People make a decision – and that decision is to go their own way. They reach a point where it’s either Jesus Christ and all that He means, or taking a path other than the path of discipleship. And that other path may not appear to be all that bad. It may be good, clean, and moral. But it’s not dedicated to the Lord. It’s not a path that’s ready to make the sacrifices and commitments that the life of discipleship requires. When people seek other things instead of Christ, His kingdom, and His righteousness – they have come to the point of making that decision. Regrettably, for many, the decision is to go their own way.

           There were some, of course, who stayed. Christ turned to them and asked – “Do you want to go away as well?” He was, in effect, asking them – “Have I lost My attraction with you also? Are My words falling on deaf ears? Were you also only looking to have your stomachs filled and your eyes amazed?” But Simon Peter gave the answer – “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

           Now, that’s a good answer, don’t you agree? It’s not only a good answer; it’s the only answer that can be given by a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ. “You have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One of God.” And if there was ever a reason for following Jesus, it isn’t the popularity, the ease, the pleasures, the social position, or the profit that some may look for in material, physical things. Believe in Jesus Christ – because He’s the One who has the words of eternal life. It’s as the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians – “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

           Decisions aren’t easy to make. Many know what the Gospel proclaims and promises. They have made a decision, and they have reached a point where they realize that Christianity can never be both the pleasures of the world, living and looking at things the way the world looks at them – and having Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives. Jesus Christ is either the Lord of your whole life – or He’s the Lord of none of it.

           That’s the same decision the followers of Christ made in the text for today. Some “turned back and no longer walked with him.” Others, with Simon Peter, asked the question – “Lord, to whom shall we go?” They knew the answer. There is no one else. Jesus Christ alone has the words of eternal life. And those who stand with Simon Peter have the joy and the assurance of life everlasting. While those who choose to walk the other way will bear the consequences of their decision. Your relationship with the Lord is just that – your relationship!

           If you are troubled by being confronted with the decision to follow the call of Jesus through the Gospel, and if some call other than our Lord’s is causing you to look in another direction, then before you is the most important decision you’ll ever make. Today, the Lord looks at you and asks – “Do you want to go away as well?” May God, by the power of His Spirit, give you the faith, the dedication, and the commitment to respond – “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.