February 9
Bible Reading: John 6:60-71
John 6:66-68, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
My coworker and I were visiting a hospice family. The family had come from California years before. They shared with us about their past family reunions and how they’d always cook beans. But no ordinary beans, mind you. These were a variety called “California Round Beans.” On one visit, they cooked some up for us—they were yummy! You can’t find those beans just anywhere. It only grows in that region. In fact, the University of California can’t match it with any other known bean! If you want those beans, they need to come from there! That’s the only way to get them. Our passage speaks to another “only one way” dynamic.
The people did not respond well to Jesus’ message about eating his flesh and drinking his blood (John 6:53). It was too difficult for them (John 6:60-61). Many of His disciples withdrew and turned away (John 6:65). “Jesus said therefore to the twelve, ‘You do not want to go away, do you?” (John 6:67). “Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).
Peter had it right. If you want eternal life, you’ve nowhere else to go. Jesus is the one person who can provide that for you. Salvation is not like shopping in a supermarket where you might find all kinds of different options. Jesus is the only way!
Remember the old Evangelism Explosion question, “Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and he were to say to you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ what would you say?”? People have responded to the question with a host of varied answers. But there is only one right response because there is only one way of salvation.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 3:18). As 1 Timothy 2:5 explained, “There is One god, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” There is One God, only One, and we’ve all sinned against Him (Romans 3:23). There is One Mediator, only One, who can intercede on our behalf. There is One Salvation, only One, and it is a salvation secured only on the merit of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.
God sets the terms when it comes to salvation. Here are His terms — “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31; John 1:12-13). Believing, not with mere intellectual faith, for even the demons have that. No, what is necessary is a sincere, heart-level faith that relies solely on His work and receives Him as Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9). He is the Only Way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
If it’s eternal life you are seeking for, there’s nowhere else to go but to Jesus!
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
Jesus is the only way
Unto peace and rest;
Why not come to Him today,
And be saved and blest?
Refrain:
Come, O come to Jesus,
He’s the only way;
Turn from sin and seek His face
and His Word obey;
Tho’ your sins be many and vile.
He’ll forgive today.
Jesus is the only way
Unto God and light;
Turn, O turn from sin and pray,
He will set you right. [Refrain]
Vain upon your works to trust,
They cannot avail;
Trust in Jesus Christ we must,
Else our hopes will fail. [Refrain]
Jesus is the only way
To life’s very best;
Jesus is our guide by day,
And at night our rest. [Refrain]
Jesus is God’s gift to man,
Cast Him not away;
Bow to God’s almighty plan,
And be saved today. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 