“Will Ye Also Go Away?
John 6:67
This is a question which I
frequently ask myself.
When any turn from Zion's way,
(Alas, that numbers do!)
Me thinks I hear my Savior say,
"Wilt thou forsake Me
too?"
And now I put this question to
you. Do not put it off as insignificant and meaningless. There are three very
important lessons for us to learn from this event in the ministry of our Lord.
1. Many who seem to be the
disciples, of Christ go back and walk no more with him. (v. 66). Throughout
the history of the church, there have been many who seemed to be true and
sincere Christians, who finally fell away and perished. For various reasons,
such people make a profession of faith and join the church. But after awhile,
they are offended at the Word, and they leave us. Why? "Because they were
not of us." They had no true saving
union with Christ. This is a painful, but necessary thing. When we see others
fall away, we are made to realize that we stand only by the grace of God.
2. The Lord Jesus Christ
takes very great care to protect his true disciples from falling away. Our
Lord puts this question to us, not because of any ignorance; he knows what is
in the heart of men; but because of his great love to his own. He knew that we
would be tempted to go away when we saw others doing so. At the first sign of
decay from our first love, he knocks at our hearts with this question -
"Will ye also go away?" Thus, he would keep us to himself with the
cords of love. "Have I not loved you, redeemed you, chosen you, called
you, and sanctified you? Will you now forsake me?" And, hereby, our Lord
teaches us that all of his disciples follow him with a willing heart.
3. The true believer
realizes that he has none to turn to but Christ. "Lord, to whom shall
we go?" Brethren, we must cling to Christ. Christ alone satisfies our
hearts. He is our God, our Savior, our Life, our Hope. Relying upon his grace,
we say, "No, we cannot go away. We must have Christ."
Don Fortner