John 6:35-38 (WEL) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst. 36 “But I spoke to you concerning that, and you have seen me, yet you do not believe. 37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and those who do come to me, I will not reject. 38 “For I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
V35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.
This is spiritual bread. Spiritual is like unleavened bread needed for the feasts as Passover. Leaven is a symbol of sin, uncleanness, defilement, and points to the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus, the living bread from heaven. Without this spiritual bread, there is no spiritual life. The only condition for receiving spiritual bread and drink is believing in God specifically the Gospel of Jesus.
Bridge Dictionary:
“Jesus spoke of this bread [Manna] as a picture of himself, the true bread from heaven. He came from God as God’s provision for the world’s spiritually needy people. He alone can bring salvation, and he alone can guarantee believers victory over death (John 6:32-40). This provision of salvation through Jesus is possible only because Jesus gave himself in sacrifice. By accepting the benefits of this sacrifice for themselves by faith, people can have eternal life (John 6:48-58).”
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) The first of seven great “I am” revelations (John 8:12 and John 9:5; John 10:7 and 9; John 10:11 and 14; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 15:1 and 5).
I Am’s
I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
I am the gate (John 10:7,9)
I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5)
V36 “But I spoke to you concerning that, and you have seen me, yet you do not believe.
These people refuse to believe even though prophecies are being fulfilled before their very eyes. Compare Numbers 14:11, Psalm 78:32, and Psalm 106:24.
(Zondervan King James Version Commentary, New Testament) Earlier “…the people had asked, “What sign do you show then, so that we may see, and believe you?” (John 6:30). As the “bread from heaven” (John 6:32), Jesus was the sign, the manna from God greater than that given through Moses. Everything Jesus had said pointed out that He was what the people ostensibly sought, yet they did not believe (compare John 20:29).”
Principle: Rejection of Jesus will mean that person will be rejected by God on Judgment Day.
V37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and those who do come to me, I will not reject.
Does the Father only give the “elect?” Are these two phrases parallel or subsequential? God wants all to come, most do not humble themselves to come, but those who do and believe God will not reject them. The religious leaders could come but refused. Nicodemus was one of a very few who came (John 3). This verse must be understood with John 6:44. John 6:44 (also John 6:65) can be summarized in three words—God initiates salvation (Acts 16:14). In John 5:40, some were not willing. They knew but refused.
All those who believe and will protect their souls. God knows all who will believe and all who reject. Faith in Jesus alone is the condition the Father accepts (Hebrews 11:6).
Adam Clarke:
“All that are drawn by the Father, John 6:44, i.e. all those who are influenced by his Spirit and yield to those influences: for as many as are led (not driven or dragged) by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God, Romans 8:14. God sent his prophets to proclaim his salvation to this people; and he accompanied their preaching with the influence of his Spirit. Those who yielded were saved; those who did not yield to these drawings were lost. This Spirit still continued to work and to allure; but the people being uncircumcised both in heart and ears, they always resisted the Holy Ghost; as their fathers did, so did they; Acts 7:51. And though Christ would have gathered them together, as a hen would her chickens under her wings, yet they would not. See the note on Matthew 23:37. Those who come at the call of God, he is represented here as giving to Christ, because it is through his blood alone that they can be saved. God, by his Spirit, convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment; those who acknowledge their iniquity and their need of salvation, he gives to Christ, i.e. points out unto them the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Our Lord may here also refer to the calling of the Gentiles; for these, according to the ancient promise, Psalm 2:8, were given to Christ: and they, on the preaching of the Gospel, gladly came unto him.”
There are some who do not realize and/or reject that they have any spiritual needs. Compare Revelation 3:17 where some did not know.
Revelation 3:17 (LHB) Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
The Greek word for know in Revelation 3:17 is G1492 εἴδω eídō which does mean the knowledge of something existing but do see, realize, comprehend, perception, etc.
(Zondervan King James Version Commentary, New Testament) “The people had not believed Him or responded to Him as such, and their unbelief was a rejection of God’s own purposes expressed in sending Jesus (see 6:27; 3:33; 5:23-24). Jesus now outlined the implications of such unbelief. In Jewish thought, “to give” means to put into one’s control and responsibility. “Giving” falls into two parts: transfer and custody. From 3:35 and 13:3, we know of the transfer: the Father has put all things into Jesus’ hands. Here Jesus emphasized the second part, the custody of all that comes under His control. He will not cast out those who come to Him (believe) but rather will safeguard all whom His mission brings under His control. Jesus was saying that the people’s unbelief had grave implications. Despite the goodwill of God expressed in Jesus’ mission to gain custody of those who believe in Jesus (vv. 39-40), their unbelief did not dismiss His sovereign authority. In fact, they were rejecting it and the protection of His custody that brings eternal life.”
V38 “For I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Jesus was commissioned by His Father, God the Father, and given the task and the means to accomplish it. The task is to be the Passover Lamb.
Principle: This is also a commission and good attitude for all Christians.
We learn:
- The importance of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus’s dedication to do His Father’s will.
- Jesus is life itself.
Questions:
- Do you do God’s will?
- How do you get your daily life from God?