Is it Easy or Hard to be a Follower of Jesus?
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:68
I really got lost once, this was before GPS or cell phones. I went to visit a member at the University Hospital in Minneapolis. Parked my car on the street, went in the front door, found my member’s room. The hospital was under construction. After I left his room, I didn’t know which way to go. It all looked the same. Finally, I found an exit, went outside but had no idea where I was. I was lost. After a lot of walking, I finally found my car.
It was hard to find my way back to my car. But what is harder is being lost spiritually. If you don’t know Jesus, you are lost. Some people don’t even realize that they are spiritually lost. All of us need to realize that by nature we are lost and not able to find heaven by ourselves.
The GPS to find heaven is the Gospel in the Word and Sacraments. The Holy Spirit works through these means. Jesus asked his disciples a question. People were walked away from Jesus. They didn’t want to listen to God’s Word anymore. Jesus’ words were too hard for them to believe. Jesus asked his disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
Jesus is asking you this same question, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” If your answer is “Yes”. You are lost spiritually and separated from God and his love. May your answer always be the same as Peter’s, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.
What Peter says is that the only way to heaven is found in Jesus our Savior. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Peter knew that truth and believed that Jesus was the Holy One of God.
You might get lost like I did in this life, but you will never be lost spiritually when you follow Jesus and his Word. Jesus is and has the Words of Eternal Life.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you have the words of eternal life. Help me always to follow you. Amen.