Many followers of Jesus thought his metaphor of "eat my flesh and drink my blood" (54) offensive and left him. Their fixed idea and obsession with bread blinded them from seeing who Jesus really was, and so they rejected God's love for them. The flesh cannot give eternal life, as shown in the case of manna. But when we accept the word of Jesus from our hearts, the Spirit works in us to generate spiritual life in us, for the words of Jesus are full of the Spirit and life (63).

When most followers turned back and left him, Jesus challenged the Twelve to examine their motive in following him (67). Peter spoke his mind, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God" (68-69). Peter received Jesus' words, and he came to know that Jesus' words gave him eternal life. That apart from Jesus, there is no salvation. He came to believe that Jesus is the Holy One of God. That's why Peter made a commitment to Jesus to follow him. What is my motive and basis in following Christ? Is it for earthly dreams, success, hidden ambition-or is it because of the words of eternal life?


Application: Lord, thank you for giving me the words of eternal life. Let me follow you to the end.
One Word: Jesus has the words of eternal life