Minister's Corner - 221 Do Not Turn Back

Loved ones, one of the saddest contexts in the New Testament, in my opinion, is the sixth chapter of John. Not because of the great miracle of feeding the multitude with the five loaves and two fishes (vs. 1-14); that was anything but sad. It filled a benevolent need and furnished indisputable proof that Jesus was in fact the Son of God. And not because of the subsequent miracle of the Lord's walking on the water as the disciples crossed over the Sea of Galilee (vs. 15-21). That incident wasn't sad, and undoubtedly further convinced the closest of the disciples of the power of Jesus. Neither was it sad because of the profound teachings in Capernaum concerning His being the "bread of life" (vs. 22-40).

To me it is a sad context because: (1) of the way the Jews reacted in obvious disbelief and with murmuring (verses 41-50), and more especially, (2) because many of His own disciples turned back, "and walked no more with Him" (vs. 60-66). Now that is very sad! Don't you just know that must have broken the heart of Jesus! So much so, I believe, that He then rather pathetically asked the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" (v. 67).

When today I am made aware of so many members of the church who once were faithful and true, but who have now turned back from the Lord Jesus and His way of truth, in one way or another, it breaks my heart! I think of how the Lord must have felt at that time recorded in John 6, and I realize that He must surely feel the same way today when any of His disciples turn back.

Reflecting once again on that question Jesus asked so long ago...it's almost like we can hear Him asking it again. We quickly remember with thanksgiving that the apostle Peter responded to the Lord in a positive way, by saying, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (vs. 68-69). We too want to cry out in similar fashion in answer to that question, "No, Lord, I will not go away from thee, nor ever turn my back on thee."

We plead with brethren, "Let us all resolve to remain faithful and true to our Lord. Let us never turn away from Him. Let us never leave the "old paths" of truth and right" (read Jeremiah 6:16a, John 14:6, Matthew 16:13-18, Ephesians 4:4-6, Jude 3, etc.). And may we never forget another statement of Jesus: "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). That should give us additional incentive! God is so good. Love you. Samuel – 9 August 2026