John 6, Part 4

Scripture: John 6:41-51

Observation: The crowd begins to grumble, because Jesus has said He came from heaven. They don't believe this; they know who He is, the son of Joseph and Mary. How can He make such a claim? They grumble just as the Israelites grumbled in the desert. Jesus explains how His relationship with the Father is necessary for their own relationship with God: "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." (v.45). Jesus again refers to the manna in the desert: those that ate from the manna eventually died. Jesus is the bread of life (v.48); those who eat of this bread will not die. Instead they will live forever (v.50, 51). He concludes by explaining how this is to be: "the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (v.51). The Word that became flesh (1:14) will now give this flesh to the world, so that the world may have life.

Application: Jesus said that everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Him (v.45). If we seek Him truly, with our whole hearts, He will not turn us away. What a comforting thought! But this also means we must accept Jesus' exclusivity. Despite what our culture would have everyone believe, the truth is that Jesus is the Only Way to the Father. It is God's own teaching - everything the Father said and taught leads us to Jesus. We can't have one without the other.

Prayer: Father, You have given us such an amazing gift. Salvation through Jesus is that, a gift. Could I ever possibly earn my salvation? No! You sent Jesus to pay the ultimate price, and in this way gave us a wonderful gift. As the Christmas holidays approach and everyone is focused on gift-giving, I think of the greatest gift of all that can't be surpassed. Thank You for the gift of Jesus. May I never take this gift for granted. In His Precious Name I pray, Amen.