WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John6
Verses171
Chapter6
THELOAVESANDFISHES(John6:113)
6:113AfterthesethingsJesuswentawayacrosstheSeaof
Galilee,thatis,theSeaofTiberias.Agreatcrowdwasfollowing
him,becausetheywerewatchingthesignswhichhedidon
thosewhowereill.Jesuswentupintothehillandhewassitting
therewithhisdisciples.ThePassover,theFeastoftheJews,
wasnear.WhenJesuslifteduphiseyesandsawthatagreat
crowdwascomingtohim,hesaidtoPhilip:"Whereareweto
buybreadforthesetoeat?"HewastestingPhilipwhenhesaid
this,forhehimselfknewwhathewasgoingtodo.Philip
answeredhim:"Sevenpoundsworthofbreadisnotenoughto
giveeachofthemalittletoeat."Oneofthedisciplessaidto
himitwasAndrew,SimonPeter'sbrother"Thereisaladhere
whohasfivebarleyloavesandtwolittlefishes.Butwhatuse
aretheyamongsomany?"Jesussaid:"Makethemensit
down."Therewasmuchgrassintheplace.Sothemensat
downtothenumberofaboutfivethousand.SoJesustookthe
loavesandgavethanksforthem,anddividingthemupamong
thosewhowererecliningthere.Sotoohegavethemofthe
fishes,asmuchastheywished.Whentheyweresatisfied,he
saidtothedisciples:"Collectthebrokenpiecesthatareleft
over,sothatnothingmaybewasted."Sotheycollectedthem,
andtheyfilledtwelvebasketswiththebrokenpiecesofthe
loaveswhichremainedoverafterthepeoplehadeaten.
ThereweretimeswhenJesusdesiredtowithdrawfromthecrowds.Hewasunder
continuousstrainandneededrest.Moreover,itwasnecessarythatsometimeshe
shouldgethisdisciplesalonetoleadthemintoadeeperunderstandingofhimself.In
addition,heneededtimeforprayer.Onthisparticularoccasionitwaswisetogo
awaybeforeaheadoncollisionwiththeauthoritiestookplace,forthetimeofthe
finalconflicthadnotyetcome.
FromCapernaumtotheothersideoftheSeaofGalileewasadistanceofaboutfour
milesandJesussetsail.Thepeoplehadbeenwatchingwithastonishmentthe
thingshediditwaseasytoseethedirectiontheboatwastakingandthey
hastenedroundthetopofthelakebyland.TheRiverJordanflowsintothenorthend
oftheSeaofGalilee.TwomilesuptheriverwerethefordsofJordan.Nearthefords
wasavillagecalledBethsaidaJulias,todistinguishitfromtheotherBethsaidain
Galilee,anditwasforthatplacethatJesuswasmaking(Luke9:10).NearBethsaida
Julias,almostonthelakeside,wasalittleplainwherethegrassalwaysgrew.Itwas
tobethesceneofawondroushappening.
AtfirstJesuswentupintothehillbehindtheplainandhewassittingtherewithhis
disciples.Thenthecrowdbegantoappearindroves.Itwasninemilesroundthetop
ofthelakeandacrosstheford,andtheyhadmadethejourneywithallspeed.We
aretoldthattheFeastofthePassoverwasnearandtherewouldbeevenbigger

crowdsontheroadsatthattime.PossiblymanywereonthewaytoJerusalemby
thatroute.ManyGalilaeanpilgrimstravellednorthandcrossedthefordandwent
throughPeraea,andthenrecrossedtheJordannearJericho.Thewaywaslonger
butitavoidedtheterritoryofthehatedanddangerousSamaritans.Itislikelythatthe
greatcrowdwasswelledbydetachmentsofpilgrimsontheirwaytothePassover
Feast.
AtsightofthecrowdJesus'sympathywaskindled.Theywerehungryandtired,and
theymustbefed.Philipwasthenaturalmantowhomtoturn,forhecamefrom
Bethsaida(John1:44)andwouldhavelocalknowledge.Jesusaskedhimwherefood
couldbegot.Philip'sanswerwasdespairing.Hesaidthateveniffoodcouldbegotit
wouldcostmorethantwohundreddenariitogivethisvastcrowdevenalittleeach.
Adenariuswasworthabout4penceandwasthestandardday'swageforaworking
man.Philipcalculatedthatitwouldtakemorethansixmonths'wagestobeginto
feedacrowdlikethis.
ThenAndrewappearedonthescene.Hehaddiscoveredaladwithfivebarleyloaves
andtwolittlefishes.Quitelikelytheboyhadbroughtthemasapicniclunch.Maybe
hewasoutfortheday,andasaboymight,hadgotattachedhimselftothecrowd.
Andrew,asusual,wasbringingpeopletoJesus.
Theboyhadnotmuchtobring.Barleybreadwasthecheapestofallbreadandwas
heldincontempt.ThereisaregulationintheMishnahabouttheofferingthata
womanwhohascommittedadulterymustbring.Shemust,ofcourse,bringa
trespassoffering.Withallofferingsameatofferingwasmade,andthemeatoffering
consistedofflourandwineandoilintermixed.Ordinarilytheflourusedwasmadeof
wheatbutitwaslaiddownthat,inthecaseofanofferingforadultery,theflourcould
bebarleyflour,forbarleyisthefoodofbeastsandthewoman'ssinwasthesinofa
beast.Barleybreadwasthebreadoftheverypoor.
Thefisheswouldbenobiggerthansardines.PickledfishfromGalileewereknown
allovertheRomanEmpire.Inthosedaysfreshfishwasanunheardofluxury,for
therewasnomeansoftransportingitanydistanceandkeepingitinaneatable
condition.SmallsardinelikefishswarmedintheSeaofGalilee.Theywerecaught
andpickledandmadeintoakindofsavoury.Theboyhadhislittlepickledfishto
helpthedrybarleybreaddown.
Jesustoldthedisciplestomakethepeoplesitdown.Hetooktheloavesandthe
fishesandheblessedthem.Whenhedidthathewasactingasfatherofthefamily.
Thegraceheusedwouldbetheonethatwasusedineveryhome:"Blessedart
Thou,OLord,ourGod,whocausesttocomeforthbreadfromtheearth."Thepeople
ateandwererifled.Eventhewordthatisusedforfilled(chortazesthai,Greek#5526)
issuggestive.Originally,inclassicalGreek,itwasawordusedforfeedinganimals
withfodder.Whenusedofpeopleitmeantthattheywerefedtorepletion.
Whenthepeoplehadeatentheirfill,Jesusbadehisdisciplesgatherupthe
fragmentsleft.Whythefragments?AtJewishfeaststheregularpracticewasto
leavesomethingfortheservants.ThatwhichwasleftwascalledthePeahandno
doubtthepeoplelefttheirusualpartforthosewhohadservedthemwiththemeal.
Ofthefragmentstwelvebasketsweretakenup.Nodoubteachofthediscipleshad
hisbasket(kophinos,Greek#2894).ItwasbottleshapedandnoJewevertravelled
withouthis.TwiceJuvenal(3:146:542)talksof"theJewwithhisbasketandhis
trussofhay."(Thetrussofhaywastouseasabed,formanyoftheJewsliveda
gypsylife.)TheJewwithhisinseparablebasketwasanotoriousfigure.Hecarriedit
partlybecausehewascharacteristicallyacquisitive,andpartlybecauseheneeded
tocarryhisownfoodifhewasgoingtoobservetheJewishrulesofcleannessand
uncleanness.Fromthefragmentseachofthedisciplesfilledhisbasket.Andsothe
hungrycrowdwerefedandmorethanfed.
THEMEANINGOFAMIRACLE(John6:113continued)
WewillneverknowexactlywhathappenedonthatgrassyplainnearBethsaida
Julias.Wemaylookatitinthreeways.
(a)WemayregarditsimplyasamiracleinwhichJesusmultipliedloavesand

fishes.Somemayfindthathardtoconceiveofandsomemayfindithardto
reconcilewiththefactthatthatisjustwhatJesusrefusedtodoathistemptations
(Matthew4:34).Ifwecanbelieveinthesheermiraculouscharacterofthismiracle,
thenletuscontinuetodoso.Butifwearepuzzled,therearetwootherexplanations.
(b)Itmaybethatthiswasreallyasacramentalmeal.Intherestofthechapterthe
languageofJesusisexactlythatoftheLastSupper,whenhespeaksabouteating
hisfleshanddrinkinghisblood.Itcouldbethatatthismealitwasbutamorsel,like
thesacrament,thateachpersonreceivedandthatthethrillandwonderofthe
presenceofJesusandtherealityofGodturnedthesacramentalcrumbinto
somethingwhichrichlynourishedtheirheartsandsoulsashappensatevery
CommunionTabletothisday.
(c)Theremaybeanotherandverylovelyexplanation.Itisscarcelytobethought
thatthecrowdleftonaninemileexpeditionwithoutmakinganypreparationsatall.If
therewerepilgrimswiththem,theywouldcertainlypossesssuppliesfortheway.But
itmaybethatnonewouldproducewhathehad,forheselfishlyandveryhumanly
wishedtokeepitallforhimself.ItmaythenbethatJesus,withthatraresmileof
his,producedthelittlestorethatheandhisdiscipleshadwithsunnyfaithhe
thankedGodforitandshareditout.Movedbyhisexample,everyonewhohad
anythingdidthesameandintheendtherewasenough,andmorethanenough,for
all.
ItmaybethatthisisamiracleinwhichthepresenceofJesusturnedacrowdof
selfishmenandwomenintoafellowshipofsharers.Itmaybethatthisstory
representsthebiggestmiracleofallonewhichchangednotloavesandfishes,but
menandwomen.
Howeverthatmaybe,therewerecertainpeopletherewithoutwhomthemiracle
wouldnothavebeenpossible.
(i)TherewasAndrew.ThereisacontrastbetweenAndrewandPhilip.Philipwasthe
manwhosaid:"Thesituationishopelessnothingcanbedone."Andrewwasthe
manwhosaid:"I'llseewhatIcandoandI'lltrustJesustodotherest."
ItwasAndrewwhobroughtthatladtoJesus,andbybringinghimmadethemiracle
possible.Nooneeverknowswhatwillcomeoutofitwhenwebringsomeoneto
Jesus.Ifaparenttrainsuphischildintheknowledgeandtheloveandthefearof
God,nomancansaywhatmightythingsthatchildmaysomedaydoforGodand
formen.IfaSundaySchoolteacherbringsachildtoChrist,nomanknowswhatthat
childmaysomedaydoforChristandhischurch.
ThereisataleofanoldGermanschoolmasterwho,whenheenteredhisclassof
boysinthemorning,usedtoremovehiscapandbowceremoniouslytothem.One
askedhimwhyhedidthis.Hisanswerwas:"Youneverknowwhatoneofthese
boysmaysomedaybecome."HewasrightbecauseoneofthemwasMartin
Luther.
AndrewdidnotknowwhathewasdoingwhenhebroughtthatladtoJesusthatday,
buthewasprovidingmaterialforamiracle.Weneverknowwhatpossibilitiesweare
releasingwhenwebringsomeonetoJesus.
(ii)Therewastheboy.HehadnotmuchtoofferbutinwhathehadJesusfoundthe
materialsofamiracle.Therewouldhavebeenonegreatdeedfewerinhistoryifthat
boyhadwithheldhisloavesandfishes.
Jesusneedswhatwecanbringhim.Itmaynotbemuchbutheneedsit.Itmaywell
bethattheworldisdeniedmiracleaftermiracleandtriumphaftertriumphbecause
wewillnotbringtoJesuswhatwehaveandwhatweare.Ifwewouldlayourselves
onthealtarofhisservice,thereisnosayingwhathecoulddowithusandthrough
us.Wemaybesorryandembarrassedthatwehavenotmoretobringandrightly
sobutthatisnoreasonforfailingtobringwhatwehave.Littleisalwaysmuchin
thehandsofChrist.
THERESPONSEOFTHEMOB(John6:1415)

6:1415Sowhenthemenhadseenthesignwhichhehaddone,
theysaid:"Truly,thisistheprophetwhoistocomeintothe
world."SoJesus,awarethattheyweregoingtocomeandseize
himtomakehimking,withdrewagaintothemountainalone.
Herewehavethereactionofthemob.TheJewswerewaitingfortheprophetwhom
theybelievedMoseshadpromisedtothem."TheLordyourGodwillraiseupforyou
aprophetlikemefromamongyou,fromyourbrethrenhimyoushallheed"
(Deuteronomy18:15).InthatmomentatBethsaidaJuliastheywerewillingtoaccept
Jesusasthatprophetandtocarryhimtopoweronawaveofpopularacclaim.Butit
wasnotsoverylongbeforeanothermobwasclamouring:"Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!"
WhywasitatthatmomentthatthemobacclaimedJesus?
Foronething,theywereeagertosupportJesuswhenhegavethemwhatthey
wanted.Hehadhealedthemandfedthemandtheywouldthereuponhavemade
himtheirleader.Thereissuchathingasaboughtloyalty.Thereissuchathingas
cupboardlove.Dr.Johnson,inoneofhismorecynicalmoments,definedgratitude
as"alivelysenseoffavoursstilltocome."
Theattitudeofthatmobdisgustsus.Butarewesoverydifferent?Whenwewant
comfortinsorrow,whenwewantstrengthindifficulty,whenwewantpeacein
turmoil,whenwewanthelpinfaceofdepression,thereisnoonesowonderfulas
Jesusandwetalktohimandwalkwithhimandopenourheartstohim.Butwhenhe
comestouswithsomesterndemandforsacrifice,withsomechallengetoeffort,
withtheofferofsomecross,wewillhavenothingtodowithhim.Whenweexamine
ourhearts,itmaybethatwewigfindthatwetooloveJesusforwhatwecangetout
ofhim.
Foranotherthing,theywishedtousehimfortheirownpurposesandtomouldhimto
theirowndreams.TheywerewaitingfortheMessiahbuttheyvisualizedhimintheir
ownway.TheylookedforaMessiahwhowouldbekingandconqueror,whowould
sethisfootupontheeagle'sneckanddrivetheRomansfromtheland.Theyhad
seenwhatJesuscoulddoandthethoughtintheirmindswas:"Thismanhaspower,
marvellouspower.Ifwecanharnesshimandhispowertoourdreams,thingswill
begintohappen."Iftheyhadbeenhonest,theywouldhavehadtoadmitthatthey
wishedtomakeuseofhim.
Again,arewesoverydifferent?WhenweappealtoChrist,isitforstrengthtogoon
withourownschemesandideasorisitforhumilityandobediencetoaccepthis
plansandwishes?Isourprayer:"Lord,givemestrengthtodowhatyouwantmeto
do"orisitinreality:"Lord,givemestrengthtodowhatIwanttodo"?
ThatcrowdofJewswouldhavefollowedJesusatthatmomentbecausehewas
givingthemwhattheywantedandtheywishedtousehimfortheirownpurposes.
Thatattitudestilllingers.WewouldlikeChrist'sgiftswithouthisCrosswewouldlike
tousehiminsteadofallowinghimtouseus.
AVERYPRESENTHELPINTIMEOFTROUBLE(John6:1621)
6:1621Wheneveningcame,hisdiscipleswentdowntothe
sea,and,whentheyhadembarkeduponaboat,theystarted
acrosstheseatoCapernaum.Bythistimedarknesshadcome
on,andJesushadnotyetcometothemandtheseawas
rousedbecauseagreatwindwasblowing.So,whentheyhad
rowedbetweenthreeandfourmiles,theysawJesuswalkingon
thesea,andcomingneartheboat,andtheywereafraid.Buthe
saidtothem:"ItisIdon'tbeafraid."Sotheywishedtotakehim
onboardtheboatandimmediatelytheboatreachedtheland
forwhichtheyweremaking.
ThisisoneofthemostwonderfulstoriesintheFourthGospel,anditisallthemore
wonderfulwhenwepressbehindthemeaningoftheGreektofindthatitreally
describesnotsomeextraordinarymiracle,butasimpleincidentinwhichJohnfound,
inawayheneverforgot,whatJesuswaslike.
Letusreconstructthestory.Afterthefeedingofthefivethousandandtheattemptto

makehimking,Jesusslippedawaytothehillsalone.Thedayworeon.Itcameto
thetimewhichtheJewsdescribedas"thesecondevening,"thetimebetweenthe
twilightandthedark.Jesushadstillnotarrived.Wemustnotthinkthatthedisciples
wereforgetfulordiscourteousinleavingJesusbehind,for,asMarktellsthestory,
Jesussentthemonahead(Mark6:45),whilehepersuadedthecrowdstogohome.
Doubtlessitwashisintentiontowalkroundtheheadofthelakewhiletheyrowed
acrossandtorejointheminCapernaum.
Thedisciplessetsail.Thewindgotup,asitcaninthenarrow,landlockedlakeand
thewaterswerewhippedtofoam.ItwasPassovertime,andthatwasthetimeofthe
fullmoon(John6:4).UponthehillsideJesushadprayedandcommunedwithGod
ashesetoutthesilvermoonmadethescenealmostlikedaylightanddownonthe
lakebelowhecouldseetheboatandtherowerstoilingattheoars,makingheavy
weatherofit.Sohecamedown.
Wemustremembertwofacts.Atthenorthendthelakewasnomorethanfourmiles
acrossandJohntensusthatthediscipleshadrowedbetweenthreeandfourmiles
thatistosay,theywereverynearlyattheirjourney'send.Itisnaturaltosuppose
thatinthewindtheyhuggedtheshoreofthelake,seekingwhatsheltertheymight
find.Thatisthefirstfactandnowwecometothesecond.TheysawJesus,asthe
KingJamesVersionandRevisedStandardVersionhaveit,walkingonthesea.The
Greekisepi(Greek#1909)tes(Greek#3588)thalasses(Greek#2281)whichis
preciselythephraseusedinJohn21:1,whereitmeansithasneverbeen
questionedthatJesuswaswalkingontheseashore.Thatiswhatthephrasemeans
inourpassage,too.
Jesuswaswalkingepitesthalasses,bytheseashore.Thetoilingdiscipleslooked
up,andsuddenlysawhim.Itwasallsounexpected,theyhadbeenbentsolong
overtheiroars,thattheywerealarmedbecausetheythoughtitwasaspirittheywere
seeing.Thenacrossthewaterscamethatwelllovedvoice"ItisIdon'tbeafraid."
TheywantedhimtocomeonboardtheGreekmostnaturallymeansthattheirwish
wasnotfulfilled.Why?Rememberthebreadthofthelakewasfourmilesandthey
hidrowedaboutthatdistance.Thesimplereasonwasthat,beforetheycouldtake
Jesusonboard,theboatgroundedontheshingle,andtheywerethere.
HereisjustthekindofstorythatafishermanlikeJohnwouldhavelovedand
remembered.Everytimehethoughtofithewouldfeelthatnightagain,thegrey
silverofthemoonlight,theroughoaragainsthishand,theflappingsail,theshriekof
thewind,thesoundofthesurgingwater,theastonishinglyunexpectedappearance
ofJesus,thesoundofhisvoiceacrossthewavesandthecrunchoftheboatasit
reachedtheGalilaeanside.
Asheremembered,Johnsawwonderswhicharestillthereforus.
(i)HesawthatJesuswatches.UponthehillJesushadbeenwatchingthem.Hehad
notforgotten.HewasnottoobusywithGodtothinkofthem.Johnsuddenlyrealized
thatallthetimetheyhadpulledattheoarsJesus'lovinglookwasonthem.
WhenweareupagainstitJesuswatches.Hedoesnotmakethingseasyforus.He
letsusfightourownbattles.Likeaparentwatchinghissonputupasplendideffort
insomeathleticcontest,heisproudofusor,.likeaparentwatchinghissonletthe
sidedown,heissad.LifeislivedwiththelovingeyeofJesusuponus.
(ii)HesawthatJesuscomes.DownfromthehillsideJesuscametoenablethe
disciplesmakethelastpullthatwouldreachsafety.
Hedoesnotwatchuswithserenedetachmentwhenstrengthisfailinghecomes
withstrengthforthelasteffortwhichleadstovictory.
(iii)HesawthatJesushelps.Hewatches,hecomesandhehelps.Itisthewonder
oftheChristianlifethatthereisnothingthatwearelefttodoalone.MargaretAvery
tellshowtherewasateacherinalittlecountryschoolwhohadtoldthisstorytoher
children,andshemusthavetolditwell.Someshorttimeafterwardstherewasa
blizzardofwindandsnow.Whenschoolfinished,theteacherwashelpingthe
childrenhome.Sometimesshehadpracticallytodragthemthroughthedrifts.When
theywereallverynearlyexhaustedwiththestruggle,sheoverheardalittleboysay,

halftohimself:"WecouldbedoingwiththatchapJesusherenow."Wecouldalways
bedoingwithJesusandweneverneedtodowithouthim.
(iv)HesawthatJesusbringsustothehaven.ItseemedtoJohn,asheremembered
it,that,assoonasJesusarrived,thekeeloftheboatgratedontheshingleandthey
werethere.AsthePsalmisthadit:"Thentheyweregladbecausetheyhadquiet,
andhebroughtthemtotheirdesiredhaven"(Psalms107:30).Somehowinthe
presenceofJesusthelongestjourneyisshorterandthehardestbattleeasier.
OneoftheloveliestthingsintheFourthGospelisthatJohn,theoldfisherman
turnedevangelist,foundallthewealthofChristinthememoryofafisherman'sstory.
THEMISTAKENSEARCH(John6:2227)
6:2227Onthenextday,thecrowdwhichwasstillstandingon
thefarsideofthesea,sawthattherehadbeenonlyoneboat,
andthatJesushadnotgoneintotheboatwithhisdisciples,but
thatthediscipleshadgoneawayalone.Butsomeboatsfrom
Tiberiasputinneartheplacewheretheyhadeatenthebread,
aftertheLordhadgiventhanks.SowhentheysawthatJesus
wasnotthere,norhisdiscipleseither,theyembarkedonthe
boats,andcametoCapernaum,lookingforJesus.Whenthey
hadfoundhimontheothersideofthesea,theysaidtohim:
"Rabbi,whendidyougethere?"Jesusanswered:"Thisisthe
truthItellyouyouarelookingforme,notbecauseyousaw
signs,butbecauseyouateoftheloavesuntilyourstomachs
werefilled.Donotworkforthefoodwhichperishes,butworkfor
thefoodwhichlasts,andwhichgiveseternallife,thatfood
whichtheSonofManwillgiveyoufortheFatherGodhasset
hissealuponhim."
Thecrowdhadlingeredonthefarsideofthelake.InthetimeofJesuspeopledid
notneedtokeepofficehours.Theyhadtimetowaituntilhecamebacktothem.
Theywaitedbecausehavingseenthattherewasonlyoneboatandthatthedisciples
hadgoneoffinitwithoutJesus,theydeducedthathemuststillbesomewherenear
athand.Aftertheyhadwaitedforsometime,theybegantorealizethathewasnot
comingback.IntothebaycamesomelittleboatsfromTiberias.Nodoubttheyhad
takenshelterfromthestormofthenight.Thewaitingpeopleembarkedonthemand
madethecrossingofthelakebacktoCapernaum.
DiscoveringtotheirsurprisethatJesuswasalreadythere,theyaskedhimwhenhe
hadarrived.TothatquestionJesussimplydidnotreply.Thiswasnotimetotalkof
thingslikethatlifewastooshortforpleasantgossipaboutjourneys.Hewent
straighttotheheartofthematter."Youhaveseen,"hesaid,"wonderfulthings.You
haveseenhowGod'sgraceenabledacrowdtobefed.Yourthoughtsoughttohave
beenturnedtotheGodwhodidthesethingsbutinsteadallthatyouarethinking
aboutisbread."ItisasifJesussaid:"Youcannotthinkaboutyoursoulsforthinking
ofyourstomachs."
"Men,"asChrysostomsaid,"arenailedtothethingsofthislife."Herewerepeople
whoseeyesneverliftedbeyondtherampartsoftheworldtotheeternitiesbeyond.
OnceNapoleonandanacquaintanceweretalkingoflife.Itwasdarktheywalkedto
thewindowandlookedout.Thereintheskyweredistantstars,littlemorethanpin
pointsoflight.Napoleon,whohadsharpeyeswhilehisfriendwasdimsighted,
pointedtothesky:"Doyouseethesestars?"heasked."No,"hisfriendanswered."I
can'tseethem.""That,"saidNapoleon,"isthedifferencebetweenyouandme."The
manwhoisearthboundislivinghalfalife.Itisthemanwithvision,wholooksatthe
horizonandseesthestars,whoistrulyalive.
Jesusputhiscommandinonesentence."Don'tworkforthefoodwhichperishesbut
forthatwhichlastsforeverandgiveseternallife."LongagoaprophetcalledIsaiah
hadasked:"Whydoyouspendyourmoneyforthatwhichisnotbread?andyour
labourforthatwhichdoesnotsatisfy?"(Isaiah55:2).Therearetwokindsofhunger.
Thereisphysicalhungerwhichphysicalfoodcansatisfybutthereisaspiritual
hungerwhichthatfoodcanneversatisfy.AmanmaybeasrichasCroesusandstill
haveanincompletenessinhislife.

IntheyearsjustafterA.D.60theluxuryofRomansocietywasunparalleled.Itwas
atthistimethattheyservedfeastsofpeacocks'brainsandnightingales'tongues
thattheycultivatedtheoddhabitoftakingemeticsbetweencoursessothatthenext
mighttastebetterthatmealscostingthousandsofpoundswerecommonplace.It
wasatthistimethatPlinytellsofaRomanladywhowasmarriedinarobesorichly
jewelledandgildedthatitcosttheequivalentof432,000Britishpounds.Therewasa
reasonforallthis,andthereasonwasadeepdissatisfactionwithlife,ahungerthat
nothingcouldsatisfy.Theywouldtryanythingforanewthrill,becausetheywere
bothappallinglyrichandappallinglyhungry.AsMatthewArnoldwrote:
"Inhiscoolhallwithhaggardeyes,
TheRomannoblelay
Hedroveabroadinfuriousguise
AlongtheAppianWay
Hemadeafeast,drankfierceandfast
Hecrownedhishairwithflowers
Noeasiernornoquickerpassed
Theimpracticablehours."
Jesus'pointwasthatallthattheseJewswereinterestedinwasphysical
satisfaction.Theyhadreceivedanunexpectedlyfreeandlavishmealandthey
wantedmore.Butthereareotherhungerswhichcanbesatisfiedonlybyhim.There
isthehungerfortruthinhimaloneisthetruthofGod.Thereisthehungerforlifein
himaloneislifemoreabundant.Thereisthehungerforloveinhimaloneisthelove
thatoutlastssinanddeath.Christalonecansatisfythehungerofthehumanheart
andsoul.
Whyisthisso?Thereisawealthofmeaninginthephrase:"Godhassethisseal
uponhim."H.B.TristraminEasternCustomsinBibleLandshasamostinteresting
sectiononsealsintheancientworld.Itwasnotthesignature,butthesealthat
authenticated.Incommercialandpoliticaldocumentsitwastheseal,imprintedwith
thesignetring,whichmadethedocumentvaliditwasthesealwhichauthenticated
awillitwasthesealonthemouthofasackoracratethatguaranteedthecontents.
Tristramtellshowonhisowneasternjourneys,whenhemadeanagreementwithhis
muleteersandhisporters,theysettheimpressionoftheirsealuponittoshowthatit
wasbinding.Sealsweremadeofpotteryormetalorjewels.IntheBritishMuseum
therearethesealsofmostoftheAssyriankings.Thesealwasfixedonclayandthe
clayattachedtothedocument.
TheRabbishadasaying:"ThesealofGodistruth.""Oneday,"saystheTalmud,
"thegreatsynagogue(theassemblyoftheJewishexpertsinthelaw)wereweeping,
prayingandfastingtogether,whenalittlescrollfellfromthefirmamentamongthem.
Theyopeneditandonitwasonlyoneword,Emeth(Hebrew#571),whichmeans
truth.'That,'saidtheRabbi,'isthesealofGod.'"Emeth(Hebrew#571)isspelled
withthreeHebrewletters('MT):aleph,whichisthefirstletterofthealphabetmin,
themiddleletter,andtau,thelast.ThetruthofGodisthebeginning,themiddleand
theendoflife.
ThatiswhyJesuscansatisfytheeternalhunger.HeissealedbyGod,heisGod's
truthincarnateanditisGodalonewhocantrulysatisfythehungerofthesoulwhich
hecreated.
THEONLYTRUEWORK(John6:2829)
6:2829Theysaidtohim:"Whatarewetodotoworktheworks
ofGod?"Jesusanswered:"ThisistheworkofGod,tobelieve
inhimwhomhehassent."
WhenJesusspokeabouttheworksofGod,theJewsimmediatelythoughtinterms
of"good"works.Itwastheirconvictionthatamanbylivingagoodlifecouldearn

thefavourofGod.Theyheldthatmencouldbedividedintothreeclassesthosewho
weregood,thosewhowerebadandthosewhowereinbetween,who,bydoingone
moregoodwork,couldbetransferredtothecategoryofthegood.SowhentheJews
askedJesusabouttheworkofGodtheyexpectedhimtolaydownlistsofthingsto
do.ButthatisnotwhatJesussaysatall.
Hisanswerisextremelycompressedandwemustexpanditandseewhatlies
behindit.HesaidthatGod'sworkwastobelieveinhimwhomhehadsent.Paul
wouldhaveputitthiswaytheoneworkthatGoddesiresfrommanisfaith.Now
whatdoesfaithmean?ItmeansbeinginsucharelationshipwithGodthatwearehis
friends,notterrifiedofhimanymorebutknowinghimasourFatherandourfriend
andgivinghimthetrustandtheobedienceandthesubmissionwhichnaturallyarise
fromthisnewrelationship.HowdoesbelievinginJesustieupwiththat?Itisonly
becauseJesuscametotellusthatGodisourFatherandlovesusandwants
nothingmorethantoforgive,thattheolddistanceandenmityaretakenawayand
thenewrelationshipwithhimmadepossible.
Butthatnewrelationshipissuesinacertainkindoflife.NowweknowwhatGodis
like,ourlivesmustanswertothatknowledge.Thatanswerwillbeinthreedirections,
eachofwhichcorrespondstowhatJesustoldusofGod.
(i)Godislove.Thereforeinourlivestheremustbeloveandserviceofothers
correspondingtotheloveandtheserviceofGod,andforgivenessofothers
correspondingtohisforgivenessofGod.
(ii)Godisholiness.Thereforeinourlivestheremustbepuritycorrespondingtothe
holinessofGod.
(iii)Godiswisdom.Thereforeinourlivestheremustbecompletesubmissionand
trustcorrespondingtothewisdomofGod.
TheessenceoftheChristianlifeisanewrelationshiptoGod,arelationshipoffered
byhimandmadepossiblebytherevelationwhichJesusgaveusofhim,a
relationshipwhichissuesinthatservice,purityandtrustwhicharethereflectionof
God.ThisistheworkwhichGodwishesusandenablesustoperform.
THEDEMANDFORASIGN(John6:3034)
6:3034Theysaidtohim:"Whatsignareyougoingtoperform
thatwemayseeitandbelieveinyou?Whatisyourwork?Our
fathersatethemannainthewilderness.Asitstandswritten:
'Hegavethembreadfromheaventoeat.'"Jesussaidtothem:
"ThisisthetruthItellyouMosesdidnotgiveyoubreadfrom
heaven,butmyFathergivesyoutherealbreadfromheaven.
ThebreadofGodishewhocomesdownfromheaven,and
giveslifetotheworld."Theysaidtohim:"Sir,alwaysgiveus
thatbread."
HeretheargumentbecomesspecificallyJewishinitsexpressionandassumptions
andallusions.Jesushadjustmadeagreatclaim.ThetrueworkofGodwasto
believeinhim."Verywell,"saidtheJews,"thisisineffectaclaimtobethe
Messiah.Proveit."
Theirmindswerestillonthefeedingofthecrowdandinevitablythatturnedtheir
thoughtstothemannainthewilderness.Theycouldhardlyhelpconnectingthetwo
things.ThemannahadalwaysbeenregardedasthebreadofGod(Psalms78:24
Exodus16:15)andtherewasastrongrabbinicbeliefthatwhentheMessiahcame
hewouldagaingivethemanna.Thegivingofthemannawasheldtobethesupreme
workinthelifeofMosesandtheMessiahwasboundtosurpassit."Aswasthefirst
redeemersowasthefinalredeemerasthefirstredeemercausedthemannatofall
fromheaven,evensoshallthesecondredeemercausethemannatofall.""Yeshall
notfindthemannainthisage,butyeshallfinditintheagethatistocome.""For
whomhasthemannabeenprepared?Fortherighteousintheagethatiscoming.
Everyonewhobelievesisworthyandeatethofit."Itwasthebeliefthatapotofthe
mannahadbeenhiddeninthearkinthefirsttemple,andthat,whenthetemplewas
destroyed,Jeremiahhadhiddenitawayandwouldproduceitagainwhenthe

Messiahcame.Inotherwords,theJewswerechallengingJesustoproducebread
fromGodinordertosubstantiatehisclaims.Theydidnotregardthebreadwhich
hadfedthefivethousandasbreadfromGodithadbeguninearthlyloavesand
issuedinearthlyloaves.Themanna,theyheld,wasadifferentthingandarealtest.
Jesus'answerwastwofold.First,heremindedthemthatitwasnotMoseswhohad
giventhemthemannaitwasGod.Second,hetoldthemthatthemannawasnot
reallythebreadofGoditwasonlythesymbolofthebreadofGod.Thebreadof
Godwashewhocamedownfromheavenandgavemennotsimplysatisfactionfrom
physicalhunger,butlife.Jesuswasclaimingthattheonlyrealsatisfactionwasin
him.
THEBREADOFLIFE(John6:3540)
6:3540Jesussaidtothem:"Iamthebreadoflife.Hewho
comestomewillneverhunger,andhewhobelievesinmewill
neverthirstanymore.ButItellyou,thoughyouhaveseenme,
yetyoudonotbelieveinme.AllthattheFathergivesmewill
cometome,becauseIcamedownfromheaven,nottodomy
will,buttodothewillofhimwhosentme.Thisisthewillofhim
whosentmethatIshouldlosenoneofthosehegavetome,
butthatIshouldraisethemalluponthelastday.Thisisthe
willofmyFather,thateveryonewhobelievesontheSon,when
heseeshim,shouldhaveeverlastinglife.AndIwillraisehimup
onthelastday."
ThisisoneofthegreatpassagesoftheFourthGospel,andindeedoftheNew
Testament.Inittherearetwogreatlinesofthoughtthatwemusttrytoanalyse.
First,whatdidJesusmeanwhenhesaid:"Iamthebreadoflife"?Itisnotenoughto
regardthisassimplyabeautifulandpoeticalphrase.Letusanalyseitstepbystep:
(i)Breadsustainslife.Itisthatwithoutwhichlifecannotgoon.(ii)Butwhatislife?
Clearlybylifeismeantsomethingfarmorethanmerephysicalexistence.Whatis
thisnewspiritualmeaningoflife?(iii)ReallifeisthenewrelationshipwithGod,that
relationshipoftrustandobedienceandloveofwhichwehavealreadythought.(iv)
ThatrelationshipismadepossibleonlybyJesusChrist.Apartfromhimnoonecan
enterintoit.(v)Thatistosay,withoutJesustheremaybeexistence,butnotlife.
(vi)Therefore,ifJesusistheessentialoflife,hemaybedescribedasthebreadof
life.ThehungerofthehumansituationisendedwhenweknowChristandthrough
himknowGod.Therestlesssoulisatrestthehungryheartissatisfied.
Second,thispassageopensouttousthestagesoftheChristianlife.(i)Wesee
Jesus.WeseehiminthepagesoftheNewTestament,intheteachingofthe
church,sometimesevenfacetoface.(ii)Havingseenhim,wecometohim.We
regardhimnotassomedistantheroandpattern,notasafigureinabook,butas
someoneaccessible.(iii)Webelieveinhim.Thatistosay,weaccepthimasthe
finalauthorityonGod,onman,onlife.Thatmeansthatourcomingisnotamatterof
mereinterest,norameetingonequaltermsitisessentiallyasubmission.(iv)This
processgivesuslife.Thatistosay,itputsusintoanewandlovelyrelationshipwith
God,whereinhebecomesanintimatefriendwearenowathomewiththeonewhom
wefearedorneverknew.(v)Thepossibilityofthisisfreeanduniversal.The
invitationistoallmen.Thebreadoflifeisoursforthetaking.(vi)Theonlywayto
thatnewrelationshipisthroughJesus.Withouthimitneverwouldhavebeen
possibleandapartfromhimitisstillimpossible.Nosearchingofthehumanmindor
longingofthehumanheartcanfullyfindGodapartfromJesus.(vii)Atthebackof
thewholeprocessisGod.ItisthosewhomGodhasgivenhimwhocometoChrist.
Godnotonlyprovidesthegoalhemovesinthehumanhearttoawakendesirefor
himandheworksinthehumanhearttotakeawaytherebellionandthepridewhich
wouldhinderthegreatsubmission.Wecouldneverevenhavesoughthimunlesshe
hadalreadyfoundus.(vii)Thereremainsthatstubbornsomethingwhichenablesus
torefusetheofferofGod.Inthelastanalysis,theonethingwhichdefeatsGodis
thedefianceofthehumanheart.Lifeisthereforthetakingortherefusing.
Whenwetake,twothingshappen.
First,intolifeentersnewsatisfaction.Thehungerandthethirstaregone.The

humanheartfindswhatitwassearchingforandlifeceasestobemereexistence
andbecomesathingatonceofthrillandofpeace.
Second,evenbeyondlifewearesafe.Evenonthelastdaywhenallthingsendwe
arestillsecure.Asagreatcommentatorsaid:"Christbringsustothehavenbeyond
whichthereisnodanger."
TheofferofChristislifeintimeandlifeineternity.Thatisthegreatnessandgloryof
whichwecheatourselveswhenwerefusehisinvitation.
THEFAILUREOFTHEJEWS(John6:4151a)
6:4151aSotheJewskeptmurmuringabouthim,becausehe
said:"Iamthebreadwhichcamedownfromheaven."They
keptsaying:"IsthisnotJesus,thesonofJoseph,whosefather
andmotherweknow?Howcanhenowsay:'Ihavecomedown
fromheaven'?"Jesusanswered:"Stopmurmuringtoeachother.
NoonecancometomeexcepttheFatherwhosentmedraws
himandIwillraisehimuponthelastday.Itstandswrittenin
theprophets:'AndallwillbetaughtbyGod.'Everyonewhohas
listenedandlearnedfrommyFathercomestome.Notthat
anyonehasseentheFather,excepthewhoisfromGodhehas
seentheFather.ThisisthetruthItellyouhewhobelieveshas
eternallife.Iamthebreadoflife.Yourfathersatethemannain
thewilderness,anddied.Thisisthebreadoflifewhichcomes
downfromheaventhatamanmayeatofhimandnotdie.Iam
thebreadoflifewhichcamedownfromheaven.Ifanyoneeats
ofthisbreadhewillliveforever."
ThispassageshowsthereasonswhytheJewsrejectedJesus,andinrejectinghim,
rejectedeternallife.
(i)Theyjudgedthingsbyhumanvaluesandbyexternalstandards.Theirreactionin
faceoftheclaimofJesuswastoproducethefactthathewasacarpenter'ssonand
thattheyhadseenhimgrowupinNazareth.Theywereunabletounderstandhow
onewhowasatradesmanandwhocamefromapoorhomecouldpossiblybea
specialmessengerfromGod.
T.E.LawrencewasaclosepersonalfriendofThomasHardy,thepoet.Inthedays
whenLawrencewasservingasanaircraftmanintheRoyalAirForcehesometimes
usedtovisitHardyandhiswifeinhisaircraftman'suniform.Ononeoccasionhis
visitcoincidedwithavisitoftheMayoressofDorchester.Shewasbitterlyaffronted
thatshehadtosubmittomeetingacommonaircraftman,forshehadnoideawhohe
was.InFrenchshesaidtoMrs.Hardythatneverinallherborndayshadshehadto
sitdowntoteawithaprivatesoldier.Noonesaidanything:thenLawrencesaidin
perfectFrench:"Ibegyourpardon,Madame,butcanIbeofanyuseasan
interpreter?Mrs.HardyknowsnoFrench."Asnobbishanddiscourteouswomanhad
madeashatteringmistakebecauseshejudgedbyexternals.
ThatiswhattheJewsdidwithJesus.Wemusthaveacarethatweneverneglecta
messagefromGodbecausewedespiseordonotcareforthemessenger.Aman
wouldhardlyrefuseachequefor1,000Britishpoundsbecauseithappenedtobe
enclosedinanenvelopewhichdidnotconformtothemostaristocraticstandardsof
notepaper.Godhasmanymessengers.Hisgreatestmessagecamethrougha
Galilaeancarpenter,andforthatveryreasontheJewsdisregardedit.
(ii)TheJewsarguedwitheachother.Theyweresotakenupwiththeirprivate
argumentsthatitneverstruckthemtoreferthedecisiontoGod.Theywere
exceedinglyeagertoleteveryoneknowwhattheythoughtaboutthematterbutnot
intheleastanxioustoknowwhatGodthought.Itmightwellbethatsometimesina
courtorcommittee,wheneverymanisdesirousofpushinghisopiniondownhis
neighbour'sthroat,wewouldbebettertobequietandaskGodwhathethinksand
whathewantsustodo.Afterallitdoesnotmattersoverymuchwhatwethinkbut
whatGodthinksmattersintenselyandwesoseldomtakestepstofinditout.
(iii)TheJewslistened,buttheydidnotlearn.Therearedifferentkindsoflistening.

Thereisthelisteningofcriticismthereisthelisteningofresentmentthereisthe
listeningofsuperioritythereisthelisteningofindifferencethereisthelisteningof
themanwholistensonlybecauseforthemomenthecannotgetthechanceto
speak.Theonlylisteningthatisworthwhileisthatwhichhearsandlearnsandthat
istheonlywaytolistentoGod.
(iv)TheJewsresistedthedrawingofGod.OnlythoseacceptJesuswhomGod
drawstohim.ThewordwhichJohnusesfortodrawishelkuein(Greek#1670).The
wordusedintheGreektranslationoftheHebrewwhenJeremiahhearsGodsayas
theKingJamesVersionhasit:"WithlovingkindnesshaveIdrawnthee"(Jeremiah
31:3).Theinterestingthingaboutthewordisthatitalmostalwaysimpliessomekind
ofresistance.Itisthewordfordrawingaheavilyladennettotheshore(John21:6
John21:11).ItisusedofPaulandSilasbeingdraggedbeforethemagistratesin
Philippi(Acts16:19).Itisthewordfordrawingaswordfromthebeltorfromits
scabbard(John18:10).Alwaysthereisthisideaofresistance.Godcandrawmen,
butman'sresistancecandefeatGod'spull.
Jesusisthebreadoflifewhichmeansthatheistheessentialforlifethereforeto
refusetheinvitationandcommandofJesusistomisslifeandtodie.TheRabbis
hadasaying:"Thegenerationinthewildernesshavenopartinthelifetocome."In
theoldstoryinNumbersthepeoplewhocravenlyrefusedtobravethedangersofthe
promisedlandafterthereportofthescouts,werecondemnedtowanderinthe
wildernessuntiltheydied.BecausetheywouldnotaccepttheguidanceofGodthey
wereforevershutoutfromthepromisedland.TheRabbisbelievedthatthefathers
whodiedinthewildernessnotonlymissedthepromisedland,butalsomissedthe
lifetocome.TorefusetheofferofJesusistomisslifeinthisworldandintheworld
tocomewhereastoaccepthisofferistofindreallifeinthisworldandgloryinthe
worldtocome.
HISBODYANDHISBLOOD(John6:51b59)
6:51b59"ThebreadwhichIwillgivehimismyflesh,whichis
giventhattheworldmayhavelife."SotheJewsarguedwith
eachother."How"theysaid,"canthismangiveushisfleshto
eat?"Jesussaidtothem:"ThisisthetruthItellyouunless
youeatthefleshoftheSonofMananddrinkhisblood,you
cannotpossesseternallifewithinyourselves.Hewhoeatsmy
fleshanddrinksmybloodhaseternallife,andIwillraisehimup
onthelastday.Myfleshistherealfoodandmybloodisthe
realdrink.Hewhoeatsmyfleshanddrinksmybloodremainsin
meandIinhim.AsthelivingFatherhassentme,soIlive
throughhimandhewhoeatsmewilllivethroughme.Thisis
thebreadwhichcamedownfromheaven.Itisnotacaseof
eating,asyourfathersateanddied.Hewhoeatsthisbread
livesforever."Hesaidthesethingswhenhewasteachingin
thesynagogueatCapernaum.
Tomostofusthisisaverydifficultpassage.Itspeaksinlanguageandmovesina
worldofideaswhicharequitestrangetousandwhichmayseemevenfantasticand
grotesque.Buttothosewhohearditfirst,itwasmovingamongfamiliarideaswhich
wentbacktotheverychildhoodoftherace.
Theseideaswouldbequitenormaltoanyonebroughtupinancientsacrifice.The
animalwasveryseldomburnedentire.Usuallyonlyatokenpartwasburnedonthe
altar,althoughthewholeanimalwasofferedtothegod.Partofthefleshwasgiven
tothepriestsastheirperquisiteandparttotheworshippertomakeafeastfor
himselfandhisfriendswithinthetempleprecincts.Atthatfeastthegodhimselfwas
heldtobeaguest.More,oncethefleshhadbeenofferedtothegod,itwasheldthat
hehadenteredintoitandthereforewhentheworshipperateithewasliterallyeating
thegod.Whenpeoplerosefromsuchafeasttheywentout,astheybelieved,
literallygodfilled.Wemaythinkofitasidolatrousworship,wemaythinkofitasa
vastdelusionyetthefactremainsthesepeoplewentoutquitecertainthatinthem
therewasnowthedynamicvitalityoftheirgod.Topeopleusedtothatkindof
experienceasectionlikethispresentednodifficultiesatall.
Further,inthatancientworldtheoneliveformofreligionwastobefoundinthe

MysteryReligions.TheonethingtheMysteryReligionsofferedwascommunionand
evenidentitywithsomegod.Thewayitwasdonewasthis.AlltheMystery
Religionswereessentiallypassionplays.Theywerestoriesofagodwhohadlived
andsufferedterriblyandwhodiedandroseagain.Thestorywasturnedintoa
movingplay.Beforetheinitiatecouldseeit,hehadtoundergoalongcourseof
instructionintheinnermeaningofthestory.Hehadtoundergoallkindsof
ceremonialpurifications.Hehadtopassthroughalongperiodoffastingand
abstentionfromsexualrelationships.
Attheactualpresentationofapassionplayeverythingwasdesignedtoproducea
highlyemotionalatmosphere.Therewascarefullycalculatedlighting,sensuous
incense,excitingmusic,awonderfulliturgyeverythingwasdesignedtoworkupthe
initiatetoaheightofemotionandexpectationthathehadneverexperiencedbefore.
Callithallucinationifyoulikecallitacombinationofhypnotismandselfhypnotism.
Butsomethinghappenedandthatsomethingwasidentitywiththegod.Asthe
carefullypreparedinitiatewatchedhebecameonewiththegod.Hesharedthe
sorrowsandthegriefshesharedthedeath,andtheresurrection.Heandthegod
becameforeveroneandhewassafeinlifeandindeath.
SomeofthesayingsandprayersoftheMysteryReligionsareverybeautiful.Inthe
MysteriesofMithratheinitiateprayed:"Abidewithmysoulleavemenot,thatImay
beinitiatedandthattheholyspiritmaydwellwithinme."IntheHermeticMysteries
theinitiatesaid:"IknowtheeHermes,andthouknowestmeIamthouandthouart
I"InthesameMysteriesaprayerruns:"Cometome,LordHermes,asbabesto
mothers'wombs."IntheMysteriesofIsistheworshippersaid:"AstrulyasOsiris
lives,soshallhisfollowerslive.AstrulyasOsirisisnotdead,hisfollowersshalldie
nomore."
Wemustrememberthatthoseancientpeopleknewallaboutthestriving,the
longing,thedreamingforidentitywiththeirgodandfortheblissoftakinghiminto
themselves.TheywouldnotreadphraseslikeeatingChrist'sbodyanddrinkinghis
bloodwithcrudeandshockedliteralism.Theywouldknowsomethingofthat
ineffableexperienceofunion,closerthananyearthlyunion,ofwhichthesewords
speak.Thisislanguagethattheancientworldcouldunderstandandsocanwe.
ItmaybewellthatweshouldrememberthathereJohnisdoingwhathesooften
does.Heisnotgiving,ortryingtogive,theactualwordsofJesus.Hehasbeen
thinkingforseventyyearsofwhatJesussaidandnow,ledbytheHolySpirit,heis
givingtheinnersignificanceofhiswords.Itisnotthewordsthathereportsthat
wouldmerelyhavebeenafeatofmemory.Itistheessentialmeaningofthewords
thatistheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.
HISBODYANDHISBLOOD(John6:51b59continued)
LetusseenowifwecanfindoutsomethingofwhatJesusmeantandofwhatJohn
understoodfromwordslikethis.Therearetwowaysinwhichwemaytakethis
passage.
(i)Wemaytakeitinaquitegeneralsense.Jesusspokeabouteatinghisfleshand
drinkinghisblood.
NowthefleshofJesuswashiscompletehumanity.JohninhisFirstLetterlaysit
downalmostpassionately:"EveryspiritthatconfessesthatJesusChristhascome
inthefleshisofGodandeveryspiritwhichdoesnotconfessJesusisnotofGod."
Infact,thespiritwhichdeniesthatJesusiscomeinthefleshisofantichrist(1John
4:23).JohninsistedthatwemustgraspandneverletgothefullhumanityofJesus,
thathewasboneofourboneandfleshofourflesh.Whatdoesthismean?Jesus,as
wehaveseenagainandagain,wasthemindofGodbecomeaperson.Thismeans
thatinJesusweseeGodtakinghumanlifehumanproblems,battlingwithourhuman
temptations,workingoutourhumanrelationships.
ThereforeitisasifJesussaid:"Feedyourheart,feedyourmind,feedyoursoulon
thethoughtofmymanhood.Whenyouarediscouragedandindespair,whenyouare
beatentoyourkneesanddisgustedwithlifeandlivingrememberItookthatlifeof
yoursandthesestrugglesofyoursonme."Suddenlylifeandtheflesharecladwith
gloryfortheyaretouchedwithGod.ItwasandisthegreatbeliefoftheGreek

OrthodoxChristologythatJesusdeifiedourfleshbytakingitonhimself.Toeat
Christ'sbodyistofeedonthethoughtofhismanhooduntilourownmanhoodis
strengthenedandcleansedandirradiatedbyhis.
Jesussaidwemustdrinkhisblood.InJewishthoughtthebloodstandsforthelife.It
iseasytounderstandwhy.Asthebloodflowsfromawound,lifeebbsawayandto
theJew,thebloodbelongedtoGod.ThatiswhytothisdayatrueJewwillnevereat
anymeatwhichhasnotbeencompletelydrainedofblood."Onlyyoushallnoteat
fleshwithitslife,thatis,itsblood"(Genesis9:4)."Onlyyoushallnoteatitsblood"
(Deuteronomy15:23).NowseewhatJesusissaying"Youmustdrinkmybloodyou
musttakemylifeintotheverycentreofyourbeingandthatlifeofmineisthelife
whichbelongstoGod."WhenJesussaidwemustdrinkhisbloodhemeantthatwe
musttakehislifeintotheverycoreofourhearts.
Whatdoesthatmean?Thinkofitthisway.Hereinabookcaseisabookwhicha
manhasneverread.Itmaybethegloryandthewonderofthetragediesof
Shakespearebutsolongasitremainsunreaduponhisbookshelvesitisexternalto
him.Onedayhetakesitdownandreadsit.Heisthrilledandfascinatedandmoved.
Thestorystickstohimthegreatlinesremaininhismemorynowwhenhewantsto,
hecantakethatwonderoutfrominsidehimselfandrememberitandthinkaboutit
andfeedhismindandhisheartuponit.Oncethebookwasoutsidehim.Nowitis
insidehimandhecanfeeduponit.Itisthatwaywithanygreatexperienceinlife.It
remainsexternaluntilwetakeitwithinourselves.
ItissowithJesus.Solongasheremainsafigureinabookheisexternaltousbut
whenheentersintoourheartswecanfeeduponthelifeandthestrengthandthe
dynamicvitalitythathegivestous.Jesussaidthatwemustdrinkhisblood.Heis
saying:"Youmuststopthinkingofmeasasubjectfortheologicaldebateyoumust
takemeintoyou,andyoumustcomeintomeandthenyouwillhavereallife."That
iswhatJesusmeantwhenhespokeaboutusabidinginhimandhimselfabidingin
us.
Whenhetoldustoeathisfleshanddrinkhisblood,hewastellingustofeedour
heartsandsoulsandmindsonhishumanity,andtorevitalizeourliveswithhislife
untilwearefilledwiththelifeofGod.
(ii)ButJohnmeantmorethanthat,andwasthinkingalsooftheLord'sSupper.He
wassaying:"Ifyouwantlife,youmustcomeandsitatthattablewhereyoueatthat
brokenbreadanddrinkthatpouredoutwinewhichsomehow,inthegraceofGod,
bringyouintocontactwiththeloveandthelifeofJesusChrist."Butandhereisthe
sheerwonderofhispointofviewJohnhasnoaccountoftheLastSupper.Hebrings
inhisteachingaboutit,notinthenarrativeoftheUpperRoom,butinthestoryofa
picnicmealonahillsidenearBethsaidaJuliasbythebluewatersoftheSeaof
Galilee.
ThereisnodoubtthatJohnissayingthatforthetrueChristianeverymealhas
becomeasacrament.Itmaywellbethattherewerethosewhoifthephrasebe
allowedweremakingtoomuchoftheSacramentwithinthechurch,makingamagic
ofit,implyingthatitwastheonlyplacewherewemightenterintothenearer
presenceoftheRisenChrist.ItistruethattheSacramentisaspecialappointment
withGodbutJohnheldwithallhisheartthateverymealinthehumblesthome,in
therichestpalace,beneaththecanopyoftheskywithonlythegrassforcarpetwas
asacrament.HerefusedtolimitthepresenceofChristtoanecclesiastical
environmentandacorrectlyliturgicalservice.Hesaid:"Atanymealyoucanfind
againthatbreadwhichspeaksofthemanhoodoftheMaster,thatwinewhich
speaksofthebloodwhichislife."
InJohn'sthoughtthecommuniontableandthedinnertableandthepicniconthe
seashoreorthehillsideareallalikeinthatatallofthemwemaytasteandtouchand
handlethebreadandthewinewhichbringsusChrist.Christianitywouldbeapoor
thingifChristwereconfinedtochurches.ItisJohn'sbeliefthatwecanfindhim
anywhereinaChristfilledworld.ItisnotthathebelittlestheSacramentbuthe
expandsit,sothatwefindChristathistableinchurch,andthengoouttofindhim
everywherewheremenandwomenmeettogethertoenjoythegiftsofGod.
THEALLIMPORTANTSPIRIT(John6:5965)

6:5965Whentheyhadheardthisdiscoursemanyofhis
disciplessaid:"Thiswordishard!Whoisabletolistentoit?"
Jesuswellknewwithinhimselfthathisdiscipleswere
murmuringaboutthissohesaidtothem:"Doesthiscauseyou
tostumble?WhatthenifyouweretoseetheSonofMan
ascendingtowhereheformerlywas?Thelifegivingpoweris
theSpiritthefleshisofnohelp.ThewordswhichIhave
spokentoyouarespiritandlife.Buttherearesomewhodonot
believe."ForJesusknewfromthebeginningwhotheywerewho
didnotbelieve,andwhoitwaswhowasgoingtobetrayhim.So
thatwaswhyheoftensaid:"Nomancancometome,exceptit
hasbeengiventohimbytheFathertodoso."
ItislittlewonderthatthedisciplesfoundthediscourseofJesushard.TheGreek
wordisskleros(Greek#4642),whichmeansnothardtounderstandbuthardto
accept.ThedisciplesknewquitewellthatJesushadbeenclaimingtobethevery
lifeofGodcomedownfromheaven,andthatnoonecouldlivethislifeorface
eternitywithoutsubmittingtohim.
Herewecomeuponatruththatreemergesineveryage.Timeandagainitisnotthe
intellectualdifficultywhichkeepsmenfrombecomingChristiansitistheheightof
Christ'smoraldemand.Attheheartofanreligiontheremustbemystery,forthe
simplereasonthatatthatheartthereisGod.Inthenatureofthingsmancannotever
fullyunderstandGod.Anyhonestthinkerwillacceptthattheremustbemystery.
TherealdifficultyofChristianityistwofold.ItdemandsanactofsurrendertoChrist,
anacceptanceofhimasthefinalauthorityanditdemandsamoralstandardofthe
highestlevel.ThediscipleswerewellawarethatJesushadclaimedtobethevery
lifeandmindofGodcomedowntoearththeirdifficultywastoacceptthatastrue,
withallitsimplications.TothisdaymanyamanrefusesChrist,notbecausehe
puzzlesintellect,butbecausehechallengeshislife.
Jesusgoeson,nottotrytoprovehisclaim,buttostatethatsomedayeventswill
proveit.Whatheissayingisthis:"YoufinditdifficulttobelievethatIamthebread,
theessentialoflife,whichcamedownfromheaven.Wellthen,youwillhaveno
difficultyinacceptingthatclaimwhensomedayyouseemeascendingbackto
heaven."ItisaforecastoftheAscension.ItmeansthattheResurrectionisthe
guaranteeoftheclaimsofJesus.Hewasnotonewholivednoblyanddiedgallantly
foralostcausehewastheonewhoseclaimswerevindicatedbythefactthathe
roseagain.
JesusgoesontosaythattheallimportantthingisthelifegivingpoweroftheSpirit
thefleshisofnohelp.Wecanputthatverysimplyinawaywhichwillgiveusat
leastsomethingofitsmeaningthemostimportantthingisthespiritinwhichany
actionisdone.Someonehasputitthisway:"Allhumanthingsaretrivialiftheyexist
fornothingbeyondthemselves."Therealvalueofanythingdependsonitsaim.Ifwe
eatsimplyforthesakeofeating,webecomegluttons,anditislikelytodousfar
moreharmthangoodifweeattosustainlife,todoourworkbetter,tomaintainthe
fitnessofourbodyatitshighestpeak,foodhasarealsignificance.Ifamanspends
agreatdealoftimeonsportsimplyforthesakeofsport,heisatleasttosome
extentwastinghistime.Butifhespendsthattimeinordertokeephisbodyfitand
therebytodohisworkforGodandmenbetter,sportceasestobetrivialand
becomesimportant.Thethingsofthefleshallgaintheirvaluefromthespiritinwhich
theyaredone.
Jesusgoeson:"Mywordsarespiritandlife."Healonecantelluswhatlifeis,put
intousthespiritinwhichitmustbelived,giveusthestrengthsotoliveit.Lifetakes
itsvaluefromitspurposeanditsgoal.Christalonecangiveustruepurposeinlife,
andthepowertoworkoutthatpurposeagainsttheconstantoppositionthatcomes
fromwithoutandwithin.
Jesuswaswellawarethatsomewouldnotonlyrejecthisofferbutwouldrejectit
withhostility.NomancanaccepthimunlessheismovedbytheSpiritofGodtodo
sobuttotheendofthedayamancanresistthatSpirit.Suchamanisshutoutnot
byGod,butbyhimself.

ATTITUDESTOCHRIST(John6:6671)
6:6671Afterthismanyofhisdisciplesturnedbackandwould
notwalkwithhimanymore.JesussaidtotheTwelve:"Surely
youtoodonotwanttogoaway?"SimonPeteransweredhim:
"Lord,towhomarewetogo?Youhavethewordsofeternallife
andwehavebelievedandwehavecometoknowthatyouare
theHolyOneofGod."Jesusansweredthem:"DidInotchoose
youtwelve,andoneofyouisadevil?"HemeantJudas,the
sonofSimonIscariot,forhewasgoingtobetrayhimandhe
wasoneoftheTwelve.
Hereisapassageinstinctwithtragedy,forinitisthebeginningoftheend.There
wasatimewhenmencametoJesusinlargenumbers.WhenhewasinJerusalem
atthePassovermanysawhismiraclesandbelievedinhisname(John2:23).So
manycametobebaptizedbyhisdisciplesthatthenumberswereembarrassing
(John4:13).InSamariagreatthingshappened(John4:1John4:39John4:45).In
Galileethecrowdsflockedafterhimjustthedaybefore(John6:2).Butthetoneof
thingshadchangedfromnowontherewasagrowinghatredwhichwasgoingto
culminateintheCross.AlreadyJohnlaunchesusonthelastactofthetragedy.Itis
circumstanceslikethesewhichrevealmen'sheartsandshowthemintheirtrue
colours.InthesecircumstancestherewerethreedifferentattitudestoJesus.
(i)Therewasdefection.Someturnedbackandwalkedwithhimnomore.They
driftedawayforvariousreasons.
SomesawquiteclearlywhereJesuswasheading.Itwasnotpossibletochallenge
theauthoritiesashewasdoingandgetawaywithit.Hewasheadingfordisasterand
theyweregettingoutintime.Theywerefairweatherfollowers.Ithasbeensaidthat
thetestofanarmyishowitfightswhenitistired.Thosewhodriftedawaywould
havestuckbyJesussolongashiscareerwasontheupwardway,butatthefirst
shadowoftheCrosstheylefthim.
SomeshirkedthechallengeofJesus.Fundamentallytheirpointofviewwasthat
theyhadcometoJesustogetsomethingfromhimwhenitcametosufferingfor
himandgivingtohimtheyquit.NoonecangivesomuchasJesus,butifwecome
tohimsolelytogetandnevertogivewewillcertainlyturnback.Themanwhowould
followJesusmustrememberthatinfollowinghimthereisalwaysaCross.
(ii)Therewasdeterioration.ItisinJudasaboveallthatweseethis.Jesusmust
haveseeninhimamanwhomhecoulduseforhispurposes.ButJudas,whomight
havebecomethehero,becamethevillainhewhomighthavebecomeasaint
becameanameofshame.
ThereisaterriblestoryaboutanartistwhowaspaintingtheLastSupper.Itwasa
greatpictureandittookhimmanyyears.AsmodelforthefaceofChristheuseda
youngmanwithafaceoftranscendentlovelinessandpurity.Bitbybitthepicture
wasfilledinandoneafteranotherthediscipleswerepainted.Thedaycamewhenhe
neededamodelforJudaswhosefacehehadlefttothelast.Hewentoutand
searchedinthelowesthauntsofthecityandinthedensofvice.Atlasthefounda
manwithafacesodepravedandviciousasmatchedhisrequirement.Whenthe
sittingswereatanendthemansaidtotheartist:"Youpaintedmebefore.""Surely
not,"saidtheartist."Oyes,"saidtheman,"IsatforyourChrist."Theyearshad
broughtterribledeterioration.
Theyearscanbecruel.Theycantakeawayouridealsandourenthusiasmsandour
dreamsandourloyalties.Theycanleaveuswithalifethathasgrownsmallerand
notbigger.Theycanleaveuswithaheartthatisshrivelledinsteadofoneexpanded
intheloveofChrist.TherecanbealostlovelinessinlifeGodsavesusfromthat!
(iii)Therewasdetermination.ThisisJohn'sversionofPeter'sgreatconfessionat
CaesareaPhilippi(Mark8:27Matthew16:13Luke9:18).Itwasjustsuchasituation
asthisthatcalledouttheloyaltyofPeter'sheart.Tohimthesimplefactwasthat
therewasjustnooneelsetogoto.Jesusalonehadthewordsoflife.
Peter'sloyaltywasbasedonapersonalrelationshiptoJesusChrist.Therewere

manythingshedidnotunderstandhewasjustasbewilderedandpuzzledas
anyoneelse.ButtherewassomethingaboutJesusforwhichhewouldwillinglydie.
InthelastanalysisChristianityisnotaphilosophywhichweaccept,noratheoryto
whichwegiveallegiance.ItisapersonalresponsetoJesusChrist.Itisthe
allegianceandthelovewhichamangivesbecausehisheartwillnotallowhimtodo
anythingelse.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
CopyrightStatement
Thesefilesarepublicdomain.
TextCourtesyofBibleSupport.com.UsedbyPermission.
BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn6"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=6&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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