Dear Christian friends:

In our text we see a very strange thing happen. Many of Jesus' disciples, not the twelve, stopped following Him. Jesus was such a wonderful Man and teacher it is hard for us to understand why many people decided to stop following Him.

Sometimes today people stop going to a certain church because of the fault or sin of the minister or some other person in the church. But Jesus was not a sinner. He was a perfect Man and a perfect teacher.

After many people left Jesus turned and attended to the twelve and asked them; "Will you also go away?" This is a good question. It was good for the twelve and it is good for us to think about and answer today. So today Jesus is asking you the question:

Why does Jesus ask this question? He wants to impress upon us the truth. Jesus is not afraid that they will leave with the others. It says, "Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not. He knew these twelve would not leave and He knew even that Judas did not believe, (verse 70). Why does He ask them? He wants them to think and confess.

Many people began to follow Jesus because He multiplied the five loaves and two small fishes and made with that enough food for five thousand people. They followed Jesus because they wanted to make Him their ruler and King to give them an easy living and free them from the Romans. Jesus told them, "No". He refused to be their bread King.

He told them, "Labor not for the bread which perishes, but for that which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of God shall give unto you for Him God the Father sent" (verse 27). Then He said, "I am the Bread of Life. Believe in Me, and you will be satisfied. You will live forever. I will raise you up from the dead on the last day."

But the many people were displeased. They said, "That is a hard saying, who can hear it?" They didn't want a Savior from sin and death; they wanted good times, comfort and money now. They wanted a Bread King, not a Heavenly King.

Jesus knows that the twelve are tempted to seek the bread which perishes and gives no true life. So He asks the question, "Will you also go away?" And He asks you also this this morning, "Will you also go away?"

Are you displeased with my words about sin, and forgiveness about hell and heaven about faith and hope and Holy Spirit joy? Do you think that is of little worth and hurry to earn lots of money and have a good time?

So often we are tempted to do that way. If the church has a dinner, many people come. If we have a ball game all the young people come. Not often gone from church ball games and socials. But often gone from church and never come to Bible class.

We read our newspaper everyday, but often fail to read our Bible or "Portals of Prayer." We think we are too busy. We want a Bread King, not a heavenly King. So we should listen to Jesus' question, "Will you also go away?"

Then let us learn the good news from Peter (read verses 67-68) Perfect wonderful answer! The Holy Spirit led Peter to make the wonderful answer. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Same Jesus before said, "It is the Spirit that makes alive; the flesh helps nothing; the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life."

The same answer you and I should give today. We finished the Lent and Easter season and that wonderful story of Jesus crucified dead, buried and risen again is very fresh and strong in our minds.

In two weeks we will hear again about His ascending up into heaven and celebrate that. When the many people murmured about His preaching Jesus said to them, "Are you displeased? What will you say if you shall see the Son of Man ascend up where He was before?" Jesus means to tell them: "Do you doubt Me. Then wait until you see me go back up to heaven. I tell you I came from heaven and you do not believe. Maybe you will believe when you see me go back up."

We have seen and read about Jesus ascending up into heaven. We ought to have strong faith like Peter and make a beautiful answer to Jesus' question: "Will you also go away?" Have you gone away? Are you away now? If you are away, will you come back? If you don't come back to Him, you will go to hell and eternal death. He has the words of eternal life. Think about that question and answer it today!

Amen.