Truth Is Unwelcome

When the crowds follow and the multitudes are fed and people are shouting in triumph, their voices are loud in praise. But when God’s Spirit reveals sin and calls them to leave it, they turn their backs on the truth.HH 178.6

As those alienated disciples turned away, a different spirit took control of them. They could see nothing attractive in Christ whom they had once found so interesting. They misinterpreted His words, falsified His statements, and attacked His motives, gathering up every item that they could turn against Him. These false reports stirred up such indignation that His life was in danger.HH 178.7

The news spread swiftly that by His own admission Jesus of Nazareth was not the Messiah. This caused the popular feeling in Galilee to turn against Him, as it had turned in Judea the year before. Israel rejected their Savior because they wanted the food that perishes, not that which endures to everlasting life.HH 178.8

With a yearning heart, Jesus saw His former disciples leave. His compassion was unappreciated, His love unreturned, His salvation rejected—these things filled Him with inexpressible sorrow. Such developments as these made Him “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3.HH 179.1

Without attempting to stop those who were leaving, Jesus turned to the Twelve and said, “Do you also want to go away?”HH 179.2

Peter replied by asking, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”HH 179.3

“To whom shall we go?” The disciples had found more peace and joy since they had accepted Christ than in all their previous lives. How could they go back to those who scorned and persecuted the Friend of sinners?HH 179.4

“To whom shall we go?” To the darkness of unbelief, the wickedness of the world? Peter expressed the faith of the disciples—“You are the Christ.” To be without a Savior was to be adrift on a dark and stormy sea.HH 179.5

Every word and act of Jesus had its definite purpose in the work of our redemption. While we cannot now comprehend the ways of God, we can recognize His great love that motivates all His dealings with humanity. He who lives near to Jesus will recognize the mercy that tests the character and brings to light the intentions of the heart.HH 179.6