As the crowds got bigger, Jesus got more concerned. He understood that he was being followed for the wrong reasons. People didn't understand. They wanted to make him king by force - to overthrow the government. They wanted Jesus to fit into their picture of Messiah as a world leader. And when Jesus perceived this, he went on the attack and taught them more plainly. He never trusted himself to the crowd.
And the crowd left, leaving the twelve disciples standing there alone shocked at the turn of events. Just 24 hours before they were basking in the glory of the miraculous feeding of 5000 people who were ready to go to war for Jesus. Now everyone was gone. The disciples themselves may have had their doubts. But Peter answered Jesus' question about whether they wanted to also leave by saying, "You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God." Their belief was stronger than the miracles and the peer pressure to renounce Jesus.
How do you answer Jesus question, "Do you want to go away as well?"
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