Three Responses

Jesus Christ, in John 6, claims to be the 'Bread of Life' which has come down from heaven and gives life to the world. From the crowd listening to Jesus there are three responses which mirror the responses people have today to the claims of Christ. The Jewish religious leaders voiced their unbelief. They questioned Jesus' teaching and origin for they knew Jesus' earthly family. In the end they rejected Him as their Messiah. A large number of followers called "disciples' stumbled over Jesus' words. But instead of calming their fears, He spoke of a greater scandal-- His future ascension to heaven following His death by crucifixion. If they are offended by what He just said, they will definitely stumble over the cross. In the end, many of them dropped away, no longer following after Christ. That left only the Twelve. When pressed as to whether they too would leave, Peter expresses his faith that only Jesus has the words of eternal life. There is no other option or alternative. It is Jesus or nothing! But Peter confesses that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the Living God. His response reveals the traits of a true disciple: One who believes in Christ, continues in the faith, and perseveres to the end.. Of the three, with whom do you identify?