Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?

John 6:60-71
October 23, 2022
Abraham Hong

Sermon Script

Today’s passage is a very sad one. It is very sad because many of Jesus’ disciples turned away from Jesus. They grumbled about Jesus’ teachings. They took offense at what he said. They did not believe who he was. And they rejected and betrayed him.

Why did they do this? They were offended by what Jesus said right before today’s passage. Jesus said that salvation came from his body and his blood. That meant that Jesus had to die for sinners. And that simple fact, that Jesus had to die for them, offended them. It was scandalous, it was blasphemous, it was outrageous for them to believe that their promised messiah, their king, had to die for their sins. It was unthinkable and unimaginable for them to believe that the Son of God should ascend by being lifted up on a cross. This was what was so hard about Jesus’ hard sayings. And so the words of 1 Corinthians 1:23 are true. The gospel of Jesus’ crucifixion was a stumbling block to Jews. And so many of Jesus’ disciples turned away from Jesus. They grumbled about Jesus’ teachings. They took offense at what he said. They did not believe who he was. And they rejected and betrayed him.

This happened before Jesus. This happens today. And this ought to break our hearts and cause us to weep with godly sorrow. These people were human beings made in the image of God who were created to have everlasting communion and fellowship with God. And yet they turned away from their Maker. These people were taught the wonderful promises of salvation. And yet when such promises were fulfilled before their eyes, instead of believing they grumbled and took offense at the Savior. These people were offered the bread of eternal resurrection life. Jesus spoke about his body and his blood for sinners. And yet they rejected Jesus and betrayed him. There is nothing more sad than people who turn and walk away from Jesus. It is the greatest tragedy. It is the worst kind of self-destruction. It is a foolishness and a rebellion that leads to an everlasting fiery torment in hell. There is nothing more sad than this.

This also ought to wake us up to what is really important in our lives. The weight and seriousness of it all is immense. Think about it. Every human being either repents and believes in Jesus or rejects and turns away from Jesus. There is no third option. This is the story of history. Do not forget this big picture. Jesus is coming back soon. Nothing is more important than the eternal destination of every human being. Wake up.

This also ought to make us more serious about how we are doing spiritually. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves to see if you are a real Christian (2 Corinthians 13:5). Do not be afraid of this. Do it. This is serious. Examine yourselves. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Consider the law of God earlier today. What good is it if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can that faith save you? Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:14-17). Just as many of Jesus’ disciples turned away from Jesus in today’s passage, many people today who call themselves Christians are not real Christians. They are only Christians in terms of their lifestyle, in terms of their culture, in terms of their politics, in terms of their family practices and routines. Theologians call this nominal Christianity. Christians by name only. Listen to these words from 1 John 2:18-19. “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” May God’s word today instill a sense of urgency in our hearts and minds about how we are doing right now. It would be the worst tragedy if you are one to ultimately turn away from Jesus.

Now, it makes sense to also feel great sadness for Jesus. He is the one being rejected and betrayed. But there is a big truth in today’s passage that should make you feel differently.

The truth is this. Jesus knows all things. Jesus knew that many of his disciples were grumbling about him (v61). He knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe and who it was who would betray him (v64). And he knew that Judas Iscariot was a devil - that is, a slanderer and accuser and enemy of God (for that is what the word devil actually means) - who would betray him (v70). Jesus knew it all.

And Jesus knew it all because he ordained it all. This was all his plan. This was all a part of his sovereign and eternal will. Jesus came to save us from our sins. The center of his salvation is his death on the cross. He came to die for us. That was the plan. And his death would ultimately come through all the turning away and all the grumbling and offense and unbelief and rejection and betrayal of many people who saw him and knew him and heard him. In ways that are beyond our understanding, Jesus sovereignly used even the sin and the wickedness and the forces of Satan for his saving purposes. He is that sovereign. He is that much above all the rejection and betrayal. Make no mistake, all the rejection and betrayal was real humiliation and real suffering that Jesus received and experienced. But make no mistake, none of the rejection and betrayal was a surprise to Jesus. Nor a hinderance to Jesus. Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot was going to betray him. Because Judas Iscariot was a part of his plan of salvation. Judas Iscariot was playing checkers. Jesus Christ was playing chess. Grandmaster, 7-dimensional chess. And Jesus won. He won by laying down his life for us. The cross was his plan. His plan to save you. His plan to be your bread of life. Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, do not be sad about the rejection and betrayal against Jesus. This is the great takeaway from the glorious truth that Jesus knew all things.

But at the same time, do be sad (in a good way) about the rejection and betrayal against Jesus. Because he went through all of this for you. Jesus was despised, rejected, betrayed, and crucified… because he loved you. Just as it was his full plan, it was his full intention to suffer everything that he went through… for your sins. Therefore, let our hearts grow warmer and bigger and more thankful for Jesus.

And let us confess faith in Christ just as Peter did. After many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him, Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Jesus was not being emotional here, as if he were feeling sorry for himself. No, Jesus was testing and challenging and inviting them. And Peter said these wonderful words: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

Dear Highland, to whom shall we go? Only Jesus has words of eternal life. No one else does. To whom shall we go? There is nothing and there is no one capable of providing us bread of life. Lord, to whom shall we go? Only you Jesus are the Word and the Son of God. Only you Jesus can change water into wine and establish a kingdom full of eschatological joy and abundant feasting without sin or death. Only you Jesus are the temple of resurrection life. Only you Jesus know all that we ever did and yet graciously give us living water. Only you Jesus can heal us and feed us spiritually. Only you Jesus can feed tens of thousands with a few bread and fish. Only you Jesus can walk on water and with sovereign dominion and victory put all things underneath your feet. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you Jesus are the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25-26). Dear Highland, may this be your confession.

Soli Deo Gloria