Lord, To Whom Can We Go?

This meditation is based on a passage for April 9, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 6:60-71

Reflection and Question: I see parallels here with the story of Gideon in Judges 7. Preparing to attack the Midianites, God tells Gideon to send troops home. First, he sends those who are fearful, and then all those who scoop the water with their hands. The only ones left are those who lap the water, a mere three hundred from thousands, so that God may be glorified in the victory. Similarly, as Jesus teaches here, disciples drift away. The lessons are hard to take. Aside from Judas, who has a crucial role to play, those who stay are like Peter. They see no other place to go. Would you have stayed with Jesus or not? Why?

Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher, we know that Your words are spirit and life. They are the words of eternal life. Search our hearts and find within us belief, not betrayal. Teach us, we pray; dispel any fear. We yearn to know You as the Holy One of God. Amen.