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4. Jesus offers people the choice, "Accept or Reject!" (John 6:22-59)
JOHN 6:34-35
34 They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Jesus aroused in his hearers a hunger for the bread of God, and freed them from the bondage of specific works. He created in them a concern for salvation, preparing them to receive God’s gift; he explained the need for faith in his person.
At that the crowd agreed with a surface enthusiasm saying, "You the bestower of divine bread, give us this unique gift always, to save us from toil. We rely on you, fill us with eternal life, give us of your power!" They still thought in terms of earthly bread, but at least knew that God’s gift was unique.
Jesus does not spurn any approach made to him. He made it clear that he was primarily the bread of God for the whole world, not the provider of food. He in his person provided the constituents of everlasting life. He implied, "Apart from me you will not find everlasting life. I am the gift of God to you; without me you will abide in death."
"As bread enters you and provides the energy for living, so I desire to come into you, to revive your minds and consciences, so that you may live in the Spirit. Without me you can do nothing. You need me daily, and I give you myself freely. You need not pay anything; just allow me to enter your hearts." Brother, you need Christ. Reading his words or grasping his thoughts is not enough. You need him personally. He is as essential for you as food and water every day. It is up to you to receive him or you will perish.
You may ask, how does he enter into the core of my being? He replies: Let your heart long for me, come near to me and receive me thankfully, believe in me. The coming of Jesus into our hearts is fulfilled by faith. Thank Jesus for he is God’s gift to you, giving himself freely; praising him with joy, because he is ready to abide in you. He will come if you ask him to abide in you for ever.
Then Jesus will assure you, "Because you received me, I shall abide in you, and satisfy your hunger for life. Do not any longer discuss the religions of the world and its philosophies as to which is right. Do not resort to every swamp to drink from it. But I will provide you with power, meaning and peace."
JOHN 6:36-40
36 But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe. 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40 This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Jesus had already given the Galileans the bread of grace freely. They beheld him in all his authority. Such realization did not become conviction nor did it advance them to confess faith. They were still swaying uncertainly. They were keen on Jesus as Lord of the bread, but hesitant about trusting him as a person. They did not accept him thankfully.
Jesus affirmed to them, as he had done in Jerusalem, the reason for their separation from him. Why do so many folk not trust Jesus? Strangely enough, Jesus does not say bluntly, "It is your fault," but points them to the Father, and showed them how faith builds up as a divine activity.
Jesus has no wish to win any one by tricks or mere argument; it is God who offers him sinners as he knows the truth about them and the degree of readiness they have to repent and convert. Only those who are drawn by the Spirit will be attracted to Jesus. Christ is not disgusted with liars, adulterers, thieves, so long as they come to him as penitents. He has not rejected anyone who has drawn near to him, even his enemies. He had mercy on them and offered them salvation.
Christ lived not for himself, nor did he plan his life by personal desires. He came down to fulfill his Father’s will and accord perfectly with the purposes of His love, to save lost sinners and keep those believers who are keen to abide in him. His generosity and saving power are great. Neither death, nor Satan, nor sin can snatch those who are in his hands. In his mercy he will raise his followers on the day of judgment to eternal life.
Do you know God’s will? He wants you to look on his Son, know him and trust him. He is born of the Spirit, full of grace and truth. Then he wants you to be joined with the Savior, with all believers in an eternal covenant which is permanent; thereby God’s aim for you will be achieved. A believer instantly receives eternal life by the Holy Spirit coming into his frail body. Your faith in Jesus insures this eternal life in you, this life which is displayed in love, joy, peace and meekness. God’s life in you is unending. The final stage in God’s will is that Jesus will raise you from the dead. This is the believers’ great hope and the climax of life offered to you by the Son will appear – the glory of His Son and the radiance of His love.
PRAYER: We worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are not far from us. But you came to us when the masses rejected you. You illumined us to see you and receive you as the true bread. Thank you for not rejecting us. You have satisfied our hungry souls, and you will raise us to eternal bliss and the praises of everlasting joy.
QUESTION:
- What does "bread of life" mean?