Peter Ignores the Crowd (John 6:66-71)

This sermon was preached on 20/2/2011

Sometimes we imagine that Jesus would not have had insincere followers when he was here on earth. Yet as we read the Gospels we discover that there were many such. One initial attraction that many saw in Jesus was his miracles, another was the way he was able to debate with the religious and political leaders. In this incident, recorded at the end of John 6, the interest that the crowd had in Jesus arose out of his miracle of feeding thousands of people from a few loaves and fish. Therefore they made great efforts to find him.

Although their motives were wrong, Jesus responded to them by giving them further instruction. He told them that it was important that they feed their souls on his saving work rather than feed their bodies through his miraculous power. In a sense, Jesus gave to them a spiritual diet on which they should feed. This spiritual food was himself and they were to feed on his divine person, his heavenly origin, his sacrifice for sin, and his resurrection power on the last day. Feeding is a picture of faith, of absorbing into our minds and hearts what Jesus did for sinners.

The crowds were offended at his teaching. Although they were religious people and had given some status to Jesus, they had no spiritual understanding. They could not cope with a Saviour whose primary focus was on delivering sinners from their sins. Even listening to the preaching of the Son of God was not enough to change their expectation of what he could do in their lives. They wanted a Christ who would fulfil their agenda, and they had no interest in his mission of mercy.

Of course, they are not the last group of people to discover that Jesus is not the Leader they are looking for. Throughout history, political movements and social movements have attempted to make Jesus a leader of their causes. But he will not be used by anybody in this way.

Peter continues in the school of Christ

Peter and the other disciples had observed this rejection of their Master. No doubt they were disappointed by the response of the crowd. Given that they were being instructed by Jesus throughout the three years when they were with him, it means that this incident, like all the others, had lessons for them, and we can identify four.

One obvious lesson that Peter would have learned is that there will be temporary disciples in the Christian church. This is not the only time that Jesus speaks about this sad topic. For example, he deals with it in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). In that parable, three groups are described: those who did not become disciples, those who were temporary disciples, and those who became permanent disciples. The temporary disciples were discovered when opposition became too strong or when prosperity became too influential and demanding. In John 6, the reason for their departure was difficult doctrines.

A second lesson that Peter learned was that true disciples will be tested as to their fidelity to Jesus. The response of Jesus to his disciples was not, ‘I’m so pleased that you have stayed with me’; instead he said, ‘Will you also go away?’ It is the case that the question in the original expects the answer ‘no’, which indicates that Jesus did not ask the question in a harsh manner arising from resentment that so many had left him or in an apprehensive manner coming from a fear that his chosen disciples would leave him.

Jesus asked the question for their benefit in order that they would have an awareness of where they were in a spiritual sense. His enquiry was straight to the point, causing them to consider whether or not they would remain disciples of Jesus. In effect, Jesus was saying, ‘Do you want to remain with me and continue to receive spiritual food or do you want to follow another leader who will promise you worldly benefits and deliverances?’

Another aspect of this testing question was that Jesus wants willing disciples. Although the large majority had given up following Jesus, there are many reasons why others would continue. There could be family pressure (we can imagine that Peter could have said, ‘What will Andrew think?’) or there could be unwillingness to face mockery from former colleagues (we can imagine Matthew, who had given up a lucrative occupation in order to follow Jesus, and what his former employer or colleagues would say to him if he came back looking for his old role). Jesus does not want them to stay for the wrong reasons – he only wants willing disciples. The only way to remain a willing disciple is to feed on the spiritual food that Jesus gives.

We know that on this occasion Peter expressed his determination to continue following Jesus. This question does not come to us only once in our experience. Jesus addresses it to us many times in our lives, often when we encounter a crisis or have an opportunity to improve our standard of living. These occasions can cause us to tone down the level of commitment that we previously have shown as his disciples. Therefore, when they come, we should be ready for the question, ‘Will you also go away?’

A third lesson from this incident is that true disciples often cannot discern the presence of a false disciple. Peter imagined he was speaking on behalf of the twelve, yet Jesus knew that one of them, a chosen companion, was a devil. Judas was an impostor, a deceiver, a thief and a liar, yet the other disciples did not notice these details. He seemed to be a servant, taking care of their financial concerns; he must have spoken the right words and affirmed the same dedication to Jesus. The obvious application for the disciples was that they were not to be surprised when a prominent professing disciple turns out to be false.

The fourth lesson that this incident would have taught the disciples is that Jesus does not need a large crowd in order to fulfil his intentions. An obvious biblical example is the story of Gideon, who began with an army of 32,000 men which was reduced by God to 300 before God would give him the victory (Judg. 7). This has often been the way things have happened throughout church history. It is true also that sometimes the Lord works through great numbers, and we desire to see such days again. Nevertheless we are not to assume that the Lord cannot use a small group of people. Such a group can pray effectively and their prayers need not only concern current situations but also future blessings. We may not see a revival, but that does not mean that our prayers will not result in a revival.

A common effect of a large number is that believers can cease to depend on God whereas a smaller group may become depressed and discouraged by lack of immediate success. The remedy for such diverse reactions is to focus on Jesus and continue as his willing disciples.

The alternatives to Jesus

Peter responds by asking Jesus a question, ‘Lord, to whom can we go?’ Peter realised that there were no rivals that could seriously compete with Jesus. The reason that Peter gives was the marvellous nature of Jesus’ words and the majestic actions of his person.

It was not that Jesus spoke a different language from the disciples, but his words had a different effect. They changed people, including the disciples. Each disciple, in his heart, had felt the strength of these words, calling them to follow him. They had also known the sweetness of his words as he forgave them their sins or encouraged them with his promises. The strength and sweetness of Jesus’ teaching had affected Peter and the others; a new dimension had been brought into their lives, the dimension of eternity. Jesus had opened up to their souls the prospects of a greater world where they would enjoy spiritual life in all its potential. Having felt the strength, sweetness and heavenliness of Jesus’ teaching, it was not feasible that they should go to someone else.

Bishop Ryle summarises the situation in these words: ‘But the question with which Peter begins, is just as remarkable as his confession. “To whom shall we go?” said the noble-hearted Apostle. “Whom shall we follow? To what teacher shall we betake ourselves? Where shall we find any guide to heaven to compare with Thee? What shall we gain by forsaking Thee? What Scribe, what Pharisee, what Sadducee, what Priest, what Rabbi can show us such words of eternal life as Thou showest?”

‘The question is one which every true Christian may boldly ask, when urged and tempted to give up his religion, and go back to the world. It is easy for those who hate religion to pick holes in our conduct, to make objections to our doctrines, to find fault with our practices. It may be hard sometimes to give them any answer. But after all, “To whom shall we go,” if we give up our religion? Where shall we find such peace, and hope, and solid comfort as in serving Christ, however poorly we serve Him? Can we better ourselves by turning our back on Christ, and going back to our old ways? We cannot. Then let us hold on our way and persevere.’

Who after listening to Jesus would want to turn back to their old lifestyle? Not a true disciple. Imagine your previous way of life with its sinful practices, its twisted thoughts, its selfish outlook. Do you really want to give up following Jesus and return to that empty way of life? Nevertheless many professing disciples left Jesus and went back to their previous lifestyles. The reason why they went back was that their sinful natures had not been changed.

Who after listening to Jesus would want to turn to another teacher or religious leader or political visionary? Not a true disciple. There are alternatives today that people can turn to as replacements for following Jesus. Some continue a religious search, some pursue material prosperity, some engage in sensual enjoyments. What does Jesus have to say to people who reject his teachings? Nothing. It does not mean that he did not want them to be his disciples. But he was not prepared to tone down his teachings in order to please them. Peter learned from Jesus to tell the truth even when people reject it.

What Peter has learned about Jesus

We can see something of what Peter has learned about Jesus from the various titles that are used of him. First, Peter addresses Jesus as ‘Lord’, which is term that indicates Peter’s submission to Jesus. It is the way a slave would address a master or the way a worshipper would address God. Although it indicates obedience, it also includes dependence. Peter had learned that Jesus was his Master who would take care of him.

Second, Peter says that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The term ‘Christ’ means ‘anointed one’ and is the Greek equivalent of the Old Testament word for ‘Messiah’. He had observed the ways of Jesus and meditated on the words of Jesus. Through the teaching of the Holy Spirit he realised that Jesus fulfilled the descriptions of the Messiah found in the Old Testament.

Peter had been present with Jesus on the occasion when John the Baptist send a message to Jesus: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me’ (Matt. 11:2-6). Peter had discovered many times what his brother had said to him when he brought him to Jesus, ‘We have found the Messiah.’

In addition, Peter had discovered that Jesus was the divine Son of God. His miracles, such as calming the storms on the sea, raising the dead, and healing the sick, had convinced Peter that Jesus was divine. I suspect the incident in Capernaum where Jesus forgave the crippled man who was lowered through the roof by his friends, had made a deep and lasting impression on Peter and the other disciples. To forgive was an activity of God.

Of course, Peter did not then have a perfect understanding of who Jesus is and what he had come to do. He was still a disciple in transition, and ahead were many more spiritual crises. Yet he was making progress. His progress was there because he was feeding on the deep words of Jesus and understanding more and more the divine capability of Jesus. This is what we should be doing if we wish to be true disciples.

Marks of true disciples

This incident gives us several marks or evidences of true discipleship. First, such a person has a spiritual understanding of who Jesus is, that he is the Saviour sent from heaven. Second, such a person is not affected by worldly opinions of who Jesus is, whether it be the opinions of contemporary leaders of culture or liberal critics of the Bible or the author of the Da Vinci Code.

Third, he is satisfied with Christ as the food for his soul; the courses of this heavenly meal are many. Jesus gives to our souls a love that cannot be measured, a standing that cannot be removed (justification), a status that cannot be improved (adoption), a power that cannot be overcome (the indwelling Holy Spirit), an access that cannot be prevented (draw near to God in prayer), and a prospect that cannot be bettered (the new heavens and new earth). He also gives us membership of the greatest society on earth (his church) where we are instructed by him and feed on him.

Fourth, the true disciple is steadfast in his adherence to Christ. Nothing can compete with Jesus. The desire of Peter was to be loyal to Jesus. It was an imperfect desire, but it was a right desire. The essence of the Christian life is seen in our desires and what attempts we make to fulfil them.