Pseudo Options

The literal Greek is "not also ye wish to go?" This is what Jesus said to His twelve apostles. The context is that a large crowd of thousands weighed Jesus in the balances and found Him wanting for their purposes. Jesus didn't measure up upon closer inspection. How absurd that the creature would pass judgment on the Creator. But, they did, and decided they had other options. The text doesn't tell us what they thought these other options were, but they must have been going somewhere. Back to the synagogue? Back to work? Back home? Is a synagogue, a work place or a home really an option without Jesus? An "option" for what? The text says, "words of eternal life." You don't find that just anywhere. But, Jesus knew human nature. When one leaves, another is emboldened to follow, and then another, and another. Mobs are formed by opinion leaders, and deserters inspire other deserters. We do have influence on others. The gravitational pull of walking away from Jesus that day was strong, and Jesus wanted to know if His own apostles were caught up in it. The draft of others can pull you along. Everyone can't be wrong, right? Think again. Didn't Lincoln say it: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time?"

Peter spoke up, of course. Bless his heart. He did not see another option. "To whom shall we go?" That was the first of three conclusions that Peter drew. There are no other viable options. All other so-called options are pseudo options. They have an appearance of wisdom (Col.2:23) but no power. We need to consider our options carefully. Life is short and taking the wrong road can lead us far off course. We may never find our way back. Options are not always what they are cracked up to be. Choose wisely. But, Peter had two other truths on straight that day. Peter affirms that Jesus has the words of eternal life. This term "life" is zoe and is found 32 times in the book of John. This is definitely a major theme, and the reason the book is written, i.e. that you might have life and have it to the full. (John 20:31) This the full and abundant life that the evil one tries to steal. (John 10:10) It is Jesus Himself. (John 14:6) It is the light that enlightens every man. (John 1:4) They don't sell this at Pubix.

The third truth that Peter proclaims is that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This is messianic. Most notably in Psa.16:10 and quoted in Acts 2 regarding the Father not allowing the Holy One to see decay, speaking of the resurrection of Jesus. "Holy One" is connected to life. Isaiah also connects Holy One to rejection and being despised, just what Jesus was experiencing that day. (Isa.1:4; 5:24) Mark tells us that the demons knew Jesus was the Holy One. (1:24) Peter and the demons had something in common, the knowledge of the Holy One, that the crowds missed. There is gospel in these three truths: There are no other options; Jesus has the words of eternal life; and Jesus is the Holy One of God. All are exclusive so that He may be inclusive.