Hear, understand, believe: Not as easy as it sounds.
The Gospel of John: John 6.41-59
Read and meditate on John 6.41-59.
It’s not hard to understand why the people of Jesus’ day found it so hard to believe Him. That’s why Jesus did miracles, all of which pointed back to well-known Old Testament teachings that would have explained everything. If only they cared to hear.
41So then
the Jews complained about Him, since He said,
“I am the Bread of heaven.” 42They said, “Is this
not Jesus, Joseph’s son? So how then is
it that He says, ‘I have from heaven come down?’”
– John 6.41, 42
Reflect
1. The Jews were complaining about Jesus, but only in a low voice, among themselves. Why were they not more outspoken? What was constraining them? Complete this prayer: Lord, when enough of us who believe in You are willing to speak out as Your witnesses, we will break the spiral of silence and…
2. In John’s day, he confronted a heresy called Docetism, which insisted that Jesus only appeared to be a real man (Greek: dokeo, “so seem”), but He wasn’t. He was more like a phantom. How does John refute that notion in 1 John 1.1-3? How do the comments of these muttering Jews refute the view of the Docetics? I know You are the true Son of Man, Lord Jesus, and this means that I…
3. We recall that Jesus made this claim about being the Bread of heaven in a context in which people had been fed bread, and were thinking about the manna which Israel was given in the wilderness (cf. vv. 26, 31). What were these people thinking as they heard Jesus make this claim? Were they correct? Was Jesus deliberately trying to mislead them? Why was this an apt metaphor for Jesus to use in referring to Himself? Lord, I know You to be the true Bread of heaven because…
4. The Jews understood Jesus’ claim. They just couldn’t make any sense of it. Why not? Were they trapped in some basic assumptions? Explain. I know that many people today, Lord, have a problem with spiritual notions such as the incarnation and resurrection. My responsibility toward such people is not to make them believe, but to…
5. Jesus’ claim to be the Bread come down from heaven stretched the thinking of those who heard Him. He was fusing in Himself two ideas – one of earthly, bodily existence, and one of divine incarnational redemption. The Jews could not put these together, yet Jesus insisted not that they figure it all out, but that they believe Him (v. 40). Is it necessary, for people to believe in Jesus, that they reason themselves to such a decision? What is necessary? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.
Summary
“His meaning is, ‘You must hear spiritually what relates to me, for he who hears carnally neither profits nor gathers any advantage.’ It was carnal to question how Jesus came down from heaven, to consider him as the son of Joseph, to ask, ‘How can he give us his flesh to eat?’ All this was carnal when, instead, they ought to have understood the matter in a mystical and spiritual sense. ‘But,’ says someone, ‘how could they understand what “eating flesh” might mean?’ Then it was their duty to wait for the proper time and enquire, and not to abandon him.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)
This passage (Jn. 6.35-59) brings into our purview three important obligations regarding the gift of salvation and eternal life: Hearing, understanding, and believing. Explain how these work together so that someone comes to saving faith. What obstacles do unbelievers need to overcome?
Closing Prayer
Fools, because of their transgression,
And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
Their soul abhorred all manner of food,
And they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
Psalm 107.17-22
Psalm 107.17-22, 1-3 (Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
Foolish and sinful, afflicted and dying,
All of our ways with iniquity fraught –
You hear our tears, our laments, and our crying,
You sent Your Word and to us mercy brought!
Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
We who from east and west, north and south gather,
Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!
T. M. Moore
We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
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.
