“Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?”
I believe that the last year and a half has been the most trying period in world history since World War II. The pandemic has had a huge impact on the whole of human life, disrupting the economy, costing numerous lives, inciting fear, increasing loneliness, disrupting worship and schools, creating new norms like wearing masks and social distancing, and generally wreaking havoc with our community life. One of the negative results of all this, it seems to me, is an increasing lack of civility and a growing angst in society as we seek answers to a seemingly intractable problem. People are frustrated and don’t know where to turn for relief from the stress.
There are definite parallels in all this to the experiences of the early followers of Jesus. The struggle against Roman authority was an ongoing concern and the burden of Roman taxes was a constant worry, so the people were on the lookout for someone to lead them to political freedom. Many who followed Jesus thought He was just the kind of leader they needed, but then He started teaching about “bread come down from heaven” and “those who eat My flesh and drink My blood abide in me.” A common response was, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” And many of His followers left Him (John 6:32, 56, 60).
So, Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68) This is still true today!
So often when we are faced with difficult problems, we look for answers in our work, our families, the government, our hobbies and our own knowledge, and we forget that it is Jesus who has the words of eternal life. He alone has the abiding love for us that will feed us in ways we cannot imagine. There is an old Hymn, #422 in the 1940 Hymnal (the one I grew up with), that gives us clear directions about how to address our problems:
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged: Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness — Take it to the Lord in Prayer!
