Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” (ESV)

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (NIV)

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (NLT)

Dive Deeper:

Imagine that you have a treasure map that you were certain leads to unimaginable riches. Would you ever throw it away or abandon it halfway through your journey? Of course not! It would be crazy to toss the very thing that promises you something priceless. But this is the dilemma faced by the disciples in John 6. Jesus had just said some things that seemed impossible to understand (John 6:53-58). Many of the confused disciples grumbled about the sayings, turned back, and abandoned Jesus. So, Jesus turned to His twelve closest disciples and asked, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67).

Jesus often says and commands things that challenge our understanding about life and test our faith. His ways are upside-down from what we expect, and they certainly don’t always align with the “wisdom” of the world. But like Peter, when we truly grasp who Jesus is, we realize there is nowhere else to turn. When the going gets tough, the answer isn’t to walk away or search for something easier. Jesus has the words that give eternal life. Only He can satisfy our deepest needs!

Consider Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s ways aren’t always going to make sense or line up with what we think is best, but they are always what is best. Following Jesus isn’t easy. Sometimes, His words can be hard to understand, and in the trials of life, we’re tempted to look for comfort and answers elsewhere. The world offers us solutions—quick fixes, easier to understand philosophies, or sugar coated promises that seem to ease our discomfort or avoid pain. But these solutions are fleeting. They offer temporary relief at best. But Christ’s words are eternal! His words promise life and hope in the midst of our suffering.

So when doubts creep in and we start looking for an easier path, let’s remember what Peter said: “To whom would we go?” Unlike the disciples who turned away, confused by Jesus’ hard sayings, Peter knew that following Jesus doesn’t require all the answers, rather it requires trust. Walking with Jesus will cause you to live in the tension of unanswered questions, but we must trust His Word even when we don’t fully grasp it. To do so allows us to walk in peace, even in the middle of doubt and mystery, knowing He has the answers we need—they just might not make sense right away. The mystery is often an invitation to meditate on His Word and spend time with Him, seeking for Him to reveal His will and wisdom.

Written by Keaton Hewitt