When Following Gets Hard

Scripture:
John 6:66-68 - "From that moment many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. Therefore Jesus said to the Twelve, 'You don’t want to go away too, do you?' Simon Peter answered, 'Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life.'"

Devotional:
The disciples didn’t always have an easy time following Jesus. There were moments when His teachings were difficult to understand, when His demands seemed too high, and when the path forward looked uncertain. In John 6, many of Jesus’ followers turned away because His words were hard to accept. It was a moment of decision for the Twelve. Would they stay or go?

Peter’s response reveals a profound truth: “Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life.” In essence, Peter was saying, “Even when it’s hard, where else would we go? You are the only source of true life and meaning.” Following Jesus was not always what the disciples expected. There were setbacks, doubts, and even betrayals. But they chose to stay because they knew that life without Jesus was no life at all.

As we follow Jesus today, we will face moments when following Him is difficult. We may experience trials, face persecution, or be called to sacrifice things we hold dear. In those moments, we have a choice: to walk away or to cling to the One who has the words of eternal life. It’s in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened.

Reflection Questions:
 1. When has following Jesus been difficult for you, and how did you respond?
 2. What keeps you grounded in your faith when you feel like giving up?
 3. How can you encourage others to stay committed when they face challenges in their faith journey?

Application:
Think back to a time when following Jesus was particularly hard for you. Write a short reflection about how you navigated that season and what you learned. Use this reflection to encourage someone who is currently going through a difficult time in their faith. Share your story and offer to pray for them.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the source of eternal life. Help me to hold onto You even when following is difficult. Strengthen my faith and help me to remember that You are always with me. May I never turn away, but stay close to You, trusting that Your way is always the best way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.