Jesus invites us to come to Him, but what does that mean?
The Gospel of John: John 6.41-59
Read and meditate on John 6.43-45.
Jesus rebuked the Jews for muttering and murmuring. They should have been seeking to learn more from Him. Instead, they merely reinforced one another in their unbelief.
43Then Jesus answered, looking all around,
“You should not murmur. 44None can come to Me
unless the Father draws him unto Me,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
45 As it is written in the prophets, ‘They
shall all be taught by God.’ So everyone
who hears, and from the Father learns, will come
to Me.
– John 6.43-45
Reflect
1. Jesus pointed out to the Jews that muttering among themselves was not the right response to His teaching about being the Bread of life (v. 43). This may seem a small matter, but John thought it was important enough to include in his narrative. We will not come to truth and a greater experience of eternal life by complaining or murmuring or muttering with like-minded skeptics. What should we do instead? Complete this prayer: Lord, much that I read in Scripture is hard to understand. Whenever I find myself puzzling over something in Your Word, help me to…
2. Murmuring and complaining with fellow skeptics was just a way of keeping from coming to Jesus. Jesus immediately followed His rebuke of the Jews with the phrase, “No one can come to Me…” (v. 44). What does this mean? What’s another way of expressing this idea? I need to come to You every day, Lord, so help me to…
3. Notice, however, that coming to Jesus is not something people can accomplish on their own strength. What is necessary for someone to come to Jesus (v. 44)? Does this suggest anything about how you should pray for the people in your Personal Mission Field? I want my lost friends to come to You, Lord Jesus, so…
4. What does Jesus hold out as the result, the ultimate blessing, of coming to Him (v. 44)? What makes this such a special promise? Thank You, Lord, that on that last day, I…
5. Jesus emphasized again the role of the Father in people coming to Him, based on what the Old Testament teaches (v. 45). Who comes to Jesus? How? Why do we say that coming to Jesus is a work of grace? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.
Summary
“As if to say, I know why you do not hunger after this bread and so cannot understand it and do not seek it.… ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him.’ This is the doctrine of grace: none comes unless they are drawn. But whom the Father draws, and whom not, and why he draws one and not another, do not presume to decide if you want to avoid falling into error. Take the doctrine as it is given to you: and, if you are not drawn, pray that you may be.” Augustine (354-430 AD)
Salvation in Jesus Christ is by the grace of God, but those who try to keep Jesus at arms’ length, and who seek out like-minded company to reinforce their unbelief, will not come to Him. How can we help people who may be in this position? What should we do to encourage them to hear and learn from God?
Closing Prayer
Restore us, O God of our salvation,
And cause Your anger toward us to cease.
Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
Will You not revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
Show us Your mercy, LORD,
And grant us Your salvation.
I will hear what God the LORD will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Psalm 85.4-9
Psalm 85.4-9 (Lyons: O Worship the King)
Restore us, O God, renew us in peace,
And cause all Your wrath against us to cease.
Will You evermore all Your wrath to us show?
Revive us, that we may Your joy again know.
Lord, show us Your love; restore us, we pray!
And help us to hear the words that You say.
Speak peace to Your people; in truth let us stand.
We fear You; let glory and grace fill our land.
T. M. Moore
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Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.
