The Gospel of John #35
/By Robert Guenther
We are continuing our review of the Gospel of John and after the Lord had fed the 5,000 we read that Jesus is taking yet another opportunity to teach them that He is not only the bread that came down from heaven but He is also revealing the truth that it is “The Spirit that quickeneth”.
Vs. Joh 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” When and if they would believe that He had the ability to give life to whosoever believed they could have this benefit of life in His name.
Vs. Joh 6:64 “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” We know that a disciple was a follower of the Lord but not necessarily a believer in the Lord. One man that is mentioned by name in Matthew 10:4 is “…Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.” Also in Luke 6:16 “… Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.”
Vs. Joh 6:65 “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” Even though the Father knows who will believe the truth, this verse is not teaching us that mankind has no choice in this matter. We need to rest in the fact that the Lord is flowing out to mankind with His grace and not judgment. The Lord does use this knowledge of who will believe to His advantage for the purpose of choosing which calling they will receive.
Vs Joh 6:66 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” So many of the disciples, who were not true believers, went back to their homes and lived as they had before choosing not to follow Him any longer.
Vs Joh 6:67 “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” This is a good question that the Lord is asking them as to whether they would continue to make the sacrifice of following after Him. Peter has the correct response in the next verse.
Vs. Joh 6:68 “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” When it comes to the truth of receiving eternal life and living the true life that comes from believing the record of the Son. Acts 4:10 “… that by the name of Jesus Christ …” Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Vs Joh 6:69 “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” This testimony is very pleasing to our Lord. Will you believe this record and follow after the one who gave His life for us?
to be cont…
