Follow or Flee

GETTING STARTED

What things have caused you to consider walking away from your faith? Suffering? Injustice? Have you come across teachings of Jesus that are just plain hard to understand and even harder to obey? If so, you are not alone. The Twelve, Jesus’ disciples and his most intimate circle here on earth, were faced with this very dilemma. As Jesus presented a difficult teaching to those following him, many on the perimeter decided to walk away. And his inner circle came to a crisis point of their faith as well—would they follow or flee?

  • What, if anything, has ever caused you to consider walking away from Jesus?

READ THE WORD: JOHN 6:67-71 (ESV) 

67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What is implied in Jesus’ question in verse 67?
  2. What resonates with you about Peter’s declaration?
  3. How could Jesus’ knowledge of Judas’ upcoming betrayal strengthen the disciples’ faith in the future?
  4. How have you made Peter’s declaration your own?

RESPOND TO GOD

Though the journey of faith was not easy, Peter was convinced that Jesus’ words led to eternal life. There was no one else quite like Jesus. When faced with difficulty, we go to many sources looking for answers, healing, and understanding. We look to human relationships to meet our needs for significance and satisfaction. But there is only One who satisfies, One who gives life, One who is faithful even when we are not. Will you make your declaration? Will you follow the One who has the words of eternal life?

  • Prayerfully stake a claim this day that you will follow Jesus no matter what.