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In his poem, “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost describes decision-making in life and the consequences of our choices. He writes: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.”
Today's passage likewise presents us with a diverging path and a choice. Jesus has just finished His long Bread of Life discourse (John 6:25-59). Many in the audience found His words difficult to accept and were faced with a choice: receive His words or reject them.
Jesus, perceiving their grumbling, responded not by softening His words, but simply by reminding them of what He had already said. In verse 38 Jesus claimed to descend from the Father; now in verse 62 He suggested that He would soon ascend to the Father. Previously Jesus had stressed the role of the Father in drawing people to Christ (6:37, 40, 44), and now He reminded them of this reality (v. 65). Finally, He had offered eternal life through His name (6:40, 47, 51), and He now reasserted that His words “are spirit and they are life” (v. 63). In other words, if you want life, you must accept the life-giving words of the One sent from the Father.
This means that there is a choice. Jesus' words are clear. How would people respond? Many chose to reject Jesus and His words (vv. 64, 66); one would ultimately choose to betray Him to death (vv. 70-71). Yet not everyone chose the path of rejecting Jesus. A few chose another course. Peter, speaking for the other disciples, declared: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69).
Although Christ's words may be difficult, and following His path may lead to the suffering of the cross, Peter and the disciples recognized that the only other option is death and estrangment from God. The y chose the less traveled road that makes all the difference in this world and eternity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage reminds us that choosing Christ is often an unpopular decision. Many in the world find Christ difficult to accept, yet Scripture promises that only in Christ is there true life. Have you made that decision to follow Christ, trusting in His life-giving words? If not, make today that day. Receive Jesus as God's Holy One. If you have, pray for those you know who desperately need “the words of eternal life” (v. 68), asking the Father to enable them to come to Jesus in faith (v. 65).
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