Articles
To Whom Shall We Go?
Many people today follow the dramatic and ever-changing pop culture. Many people all around the world are fully absorbed in keeping a close eye on every step their favorite athlete, musician, or actor makes. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites are more popular than ever because they allow people to see into the lives of the celebrities they worship.
And what do people gain from doing so? Maybe basis for gossip or small talk, but there isn’t much else worth obtaining from scrutinizing the lives of the worldly gods. Is there anything wrong in itself of following a celebrity? Of course not. But if it consumes so much of our time, attention, and focus that little else has room in our lives, therein lies the issue.
After many of His disciples withdraw from following Him, Jesus turns to his apostles and asks if they will do the same. Listen to the conversation that Peter and Jesus have. “So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘You do not want to go away also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God,’” John 6:67-69.
Peter followed Jesus. He understood that there was nothing more important than being a disciple of Him.
Now the expected question might be, “Who are we following?” but there’s something missing. We may keep up with many people in our day-to-day lives, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The question is, Who is our number one priority? As Matthew put it “Seek first His kingdom…”. Sometimes we may be content and proud of ourselves for just having Jesus on our list of priorities. This should not be so. He should be so important to us that our lives should reflect Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”.
What are we talking about at the dinner table? Who are we teaching our children to imitate? How often do we speak about Jesus to our coworkers?
Peter followed Jesus because he saw something in Jesus that no one else had or no one ever will have: eternal life. There is no one who can offer and fulfill the promises that Jesus does.
Who do we follow first?
