Saturday 11 July 2026

Psalm 73:1-14

Background
There are times in life when something we once found exciting becomes difficult and demanding. At that point we face a choice: do we continue, or do we walk away?

That is the situation in today's reading from John's Gospel. Jesus' teaching has become increasingly challenging, and many of his disciples decide they can no longer accept it. John tells us that many turned back and no longer followed him.

It is a sobering moment. These are not opponents of Jesus or members of the crowd. They are disciples. People who have listened to his teaching, witnessed his signs, and travelled with him. Yet they reach a point where they decide that following Jesus is too difficult.

Jesus does not soften his message or chase after those who leave. Instead, he turns to the 12 disciples and asks, "Do you also wish to go away?" We are not told what Jesus felt at that moment, but the question carries a note of sadness as well as challenge. Having watched many disciples turn back, he now asks those closest to him whether they too will leave.

Peter's answer is one of the most memorable statements in John's Gospel: "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." (v. 68)

What is striking is that Peter does not claim to understand everything Jesus has said. He does not say that the teaching is easy or that he has no questions. Instead, he speaks out of trust. Despite his uncertainties, he has come to believe that life is found in Jesus.

Many Christians today are concerned by declining church attendance and the number of people who no longer identify with the Christian faith. John 6 reminds us that even during Jesus' earthly ministry some disciples chose to walk away. Yet the focus of the passage is not on those who left. It is on those who remained.

Faith is not having all the answers. Nor is it the absence of doubts or difficulties. Faith is continuing to trust Christ when we do not fully understand, because we have discovered that he alone has the words of eternal life.

To Ponder:

• Why do you think some disciples chose to leave Jesus while Peter chose to remain?
• Have there been times when following Christ has felt difficult or demanding? What helped you continue?
• What do Peter's words, "Lord, to whom can we go?", mean for your own faith journey?

Prayer
Faithful God, when the path of discipleship is difficult, help us to remain close to you. Give us the courage to trust you when we do not understand, the wisdom to listen to your words, and the faith to follow where you lead. Like Peter, may we recognise that true life is found in Christ alone, and may we remain faithful to him each day. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Stuart Reed
Stuart is Acting Superintendent Minister of the South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit and will become Superintendent Minister in September 2026. He lives in Looe with his wife and their labrador. He is father to two and grandfather to one, and enjoys walking the Cornish coast. He is still conducting extensive research into where to find the best pasties and ice cream in Cornwall.