“What they wanted, he would not give; what he offered, they would not receive.”
F. F. Bruce
In John 6, the crowds decide to desert Jesus. (see John 6:66) They cannot handle what they have determined to be a ‘hard saying’ of Jesus. He has insisted that they “eat his flesh and drink his blood.” He calls the crowds to believe in him (see John 6:40 and 6:54), and trust him for eternal life, not just for their daily allotment of loaves and fishes. They grumble, refuse, and ready themselves to leave. How does the Lord respond to this potential decline in his numbers? Here’s how:
61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:61-63)
Jesus continues to assert his unique status as Messiah and the only provider of eternal life. He prepares the crowds for his ascending to power. He indicates his pre-existent condition as the Son of God with the phrase, “to where he was before.” And he claims that their hope in finding life in the flesh, by which he means the thoroughly fallen nature of Man (intellect, emotions, and will), will prove fruitless. It is only in Him that one finds words that are truly spiritual and life giving. Have you trusted Christ to provide you with eternal life? Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
