200
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
children. He has revealed his love in the gift of his Son, and in the many
providences by which he manifests himself. He who lives near to Jesus
may understand much of the mystery of godliness, and comprehend
the love that administers merited reproof. Humanity, alienated from
God, can only be reconciled to him by partaking spiritually of the flesh
and blood of his dear Son.
The Saviour did not attempt to prevent the disaffected disciples
from leaving him, but, turning to the twelve chosen ones, said sorrow-
fully, “Will ye also go away?” Peter promptly replied by asking in turn
“Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and
we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living
God.” How full of meaning are these words, “To whom shall we go?”
The teachers of Israel were slaves to cold formality. The Pharisees
and Sadducees were in constant contention concerning the doctrine
of the resurrection and other points of difference. To leave Jesus was
to fall among sticklers for rites and ceremonies, and ambitious men
who sought their own glory. The disciples had felt more peace and joy
[289]
since they had accepted Christ than in all their previous lives. They
had looked back with horror upon their former course of carelessness
and iniquity. How could they, whose eyes had been opened to discern
the malice and bigotry of the Jews, go back to them who had scorned
and persecuted the Friend of sinners? Long had their faith sustained
them in looking for the Messiah, and now that he had come, they could
not turn from his presence to those who were hunting his life and had
persecuted them for obeying him.
“To whom shall we go?” Not from the doctrine of Christ, his
lessons of love and charity, to the darkness of unbelief, the wickedness
of the world. While many were turning from the Saviour who had
witnessed his miraculous works, who had seen him heal the sick
and comfort the distressed, who had been electrified by the heavenly
majesty of his bearing, Peter expresses the faith of the disciples, “Thou
art that Christ.” Never will they deny that he is the world’s Redeemer,
the Son of God. The very thought of losing this anchor of their souls
thrilled their hearts with anguish. To be again destitute of a Saviour,
subject to fear and superstition, would be to be adrift upon a dark and
stormy sea.
Some may question the wisdom of Jesus in introducing a subject
so easily misunderstood as that which had turned so many from him