No Man Can Come to the Father But By Me, Said Jesus - Part 893

In John chapter six, Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the multitude. But the crowds returned again fully expecting to be fed a second time. Knowing the intents of the heart, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me -- not because you saw the miracles -- but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled."(John 6:26)

In other words, the crowds herein did not come to Jesus because they loved Him or for the miracles He performed but rather, for what He could do for them personally. Some might describe this as the difference between a "hired man" and one whose actions are dictated solely by His love and grace. As we can see from this example, there was an abundance of hired men, hoping to enjoy the blessings that our Lord God and Saviour could bestow upon them -- however, stopping short of making a personal commitment.

Unfortunately, there are many in this day and age who do the same thing. We go to church, pay our tithes, and thereafter, focus on what some refer to as "right living." As such, the gospel is sprinkled upon our lives through our church activity, but sadly, during the remainder of the week, we go about trying to achieve outcomes that align with worldly motivations.

Interestingly, Jesus told the crowd -- a message that is equally pertinent today -- "Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27)

To which the crowd then asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

But obviously these did not believe in Jesus because they looked for yet an additional sign that would confirm who Jesus really was. Indeed, these said unto Him, "What sign showest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee? What dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert." As it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." (John 6:31; Exodus 16:4-15; Psalm 78:24)

You see, these already knew of the bread and water that sustained their fathers in the desert, and desired that sustenance too. Aware that God "gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promised them that they should go in to possess the land which Thou hadst sworn to give them." (Nehemiah 9:15)

Presumably then, these were also aware that "their fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to Thy commandments. And refused to obey ... neither were they mindful of Thy wonders among them but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage." (Nehemiah 9:15-17)

But still, as in days past, there was our Lord God willing and ready to pardon them, "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, [who would have] forsookest them not" had they only believed in His love in their hearts. (Nehemiah 9:17)

Jesus confirmed the same to them, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world." (John 6:26-33)

Unconvinced, their hearts still desired the worldly benefits, having said unto Jesus, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." (John 6:34) Like the hired man might suggest today, "Just give us enough of the blessing Lord so that our names are written in the Book of Life."

However, Jesus once again tried to reach them saying, "I am the bread of life. He that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst ... All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me ..." (John 6:35-38)

Note that Jesus did not stop there. He continues His message of love, saying:

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me -- that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing -- but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:39-40)

Sadly, the Jews murmured at Jesus, because He had said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." Questioning His teachings, they murmured, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?" How is it then that He saith, "I came down from heaven?" (John 6:41-42)

Again, Jesus knowing their innermost thoughts and desires of the heart answered them, stating: "Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." It is written in the prophets, "And they shall be all taught of God." Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me." (John 6:43-45)

Sadly, even though they had seen the heavenly Father in the flesh standing before them in the synagogue, patiently and mercifully showing them that He was and is the only way to eternal life, they believed not. Jesus said, "That ye also have seen Me and [yet still] believe not." (John 6:36)

"Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He has seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life." Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die ... I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:46-51)

The Jews therefore strove among themselves -- causing somewhat of a division in the midst. They asked, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" These did not understand Jesus' teachings because they focussed only on the literal -- as does a hired man. That is, don't confuse the hired man with details but rather just provide him or her with the minimum requirements to get them into heaven. Similar to a safety net analogy.

This is why Jesus continued. He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats My flesh and drinks My blood dwells in Me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me." (John 6:53-57)

Note that repeatedly (just as our Lord God was in the days of old) He was gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, [who would have] forsookest them not" had these only turned in their hearts and believed in the bread from heaven.

Jesus again stated, "This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6:58)

Therefore, herein the gift of salvation -- that the same Lord God who created the world in the beginning loved us so much that He Himself would shed His precious blood on a cross so that we might experience His mercy and grace. His love that surpasses all human understanding. His teaching here -- don't make the same mistake as these did, turning away from His free gift of salvation.

Many of His disciples, when they had heard this teaching admitted, "This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, "Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:60-63)

In spite of Jesus' kindness and mercy, some still believed not. In fact, according to the scriptures, from that time, many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him. (John 6:66)

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Then Simon Peter answered Him, saying, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." (John 6:66-68)

No truer words could be spoken. Abide in Jesus today -- not as a hired man but one who truly seeks the Saviour and His righteousness with all their soul, mind, heart and strength. Be clean and renewed through the Word that He has spoken in your heart. (John 15:9) Be diligent in reading His Word each and every day for your spiritual bread and water so that you too shall never hunger or thirst.

Why? Because Jesus NEVER fails! Stand in the offering plate.