The circumstance is this. Jesus has just fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fishes. Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks before distributing the bread to the disciples, who then in turn, distributed to them that were set down. He also did the same with the fish. When the disciples gathered up the fragments that remained, they gather together and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above them that had eaten.
When the crowd who had seen the miracle Jesus performed wanted to subsequently take Jesus by force and make Him a King, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. When these people finally caught up with Jesus on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, "Rabbi, when camest Thou thither?" (John 6:25)
Jesus proceeds to tell them that these did not seek Him because of the miracles He performed but rather, as Jesus says -- "because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." A sad commentary, to say the least. Nevertheless, the Lord then informs them to labour not for the meat which perishes "but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:26-27)
These then ask Jesus, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answers, saying, "This is the work of God -- that ye believe on HIM whom He hath sent!" (John 6:28-29)
The work of God in this current dispensation of grace is that we believe on Him whom He hath sent. To believe on His precious Name that was given specifically for this time in which we live. (Matthew 1:21-23) Note that the scriptures offer further clarity on this point. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
And, as Jesus reveals to Philip in this same scriptural passage -- "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:7)
Why is this? Because Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13) "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead. (Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:17) After His love and kindness, God became the perfect sacrifice on the cross -- God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
In Romans, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ states: " ... who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all -- God blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 9:4)
This is why throughout His Word, God reveals Himself in the face of Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus is the visible image of the unseen God, who now dwells in us. "And will be a Father unto you and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty." (II Corinthians 6:16-18; Romans 8:14; II Samuel 7:14; Isaiah 52:11; I Corinthians 3:16)
In this day and age, God has chosen to speak to our hearts through the Son -- Himself robed in sin prone flesh and yet without sin -- but His identity hid until the ultimate price had been paid on that cross. This is why Jesus would not allow those that He fed to make Him King, because His time had not yet come. The Law and old covenant ordinances had to be fulfilled in order for the new testament to begin, wherein JESUS is the ONLY NAME whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
His Name highly exalted and above every name. This is why Peter standing with the apostles on the day of Pentecost could say "this SAME JESUS whom ye have crucified is BOTH LORD AND CHRIST" for He was both Lord and Christ. God was both the Father and the Son. His Spirit -- the Spirit of Jesus which is the testimony of the prophets dwells within those who proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour by faith.
And now, after He [Jesus] was taken up, He [Jesus] THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST gave/gives commandments unto those whom He had/has chosen (Acts 1:2-3) This is why Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!" [Note that in order for the Holy Ghost to come, Jesus definitely had to go, and told His disciples the same -- re: John 16:7 -- Jesus having said these things while He was yet with them.]
This is why we (like the apostles) preach in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. For as the scriptures reveal, He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 1:8,11)
The Son of man is the Lord of glory.
"And this is His commandment: That we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And He that keeps His commandments dwells in Him and He in Him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." (I John 3:23-24; Matthew 22:36-40; John 14:21-25)
The Holy Ghost renewed -- all things being brought to our remembrance. (Titus 3:4-7; John 14:26; John 15:26) His Name -- JESUS -- forever to be praised, because He is the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Stand in the offering plate.
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