After all they'd seen and heard, they were still in the dark.
The Gospel of John: John 6.22-40
Read and meditate on John 6.28-31.
Jesus has just told these people that they had to work to enjoy the works of God, the food that endures to everlasting life. We note that Jesus does not discourage them from thinking about works and salvation.
28They said, “What shall we do, where shall we go
that we may work the works of God?” 29But He
replied, “God’s work is to believe in Me,
Whom He has sent.” 30They said to Him therefore,
“What sign or wonder will You then perform,
that we may see it, and believe in You?
31Our ancient fathers, as they traveled through
the desert, ate the manna, sent from heaven.”
– John 6.28-31
Reflect
1. The people rightly understood that to enjoy the works of God, they had to do something. But isn’t salvation – the food that endures to everlasting life – a gift of grace? Explain. Complete this prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the gift of salvation, and for enabling me to…
2. How did Jesus answer their question? In what sense is believing in Jesus a “work”? How do you interpret the phrase “of God” here? Is this a work people can do on their own (cf. Jn. 6.63 and Gal. 4.6)? Do we still need to urge them to do it? Explain. Lord, when I tell someone they must believe in You, what I mean is…
3. Can you see how, in verse 30, the people are trying to use Jesus’ words to manipulate Him for their own ends? Do people still do this today? How can we know when we might be doing this? Lord, guard me against ever trying to…
4. The people are saying to Jesus, “Hey, seeing is believing.” Jesus is saying to the people, “Believing is seeing.” What’s the difference? I believe, Lord, help me to…
5. The spokespersons for this crowd try to use Scripture to get their way with Jesus. Remind you of anyone else who tried to twist Scripture to get Jesus to do his bidding (cf. Matt. 4.5, 6)? The purpose of Scripture is to focus us on Jesus, not to focus Jesus on us. Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.
Summary
“Why do you make ready your teeth and stomach? Believe, and you have eaten. Faith is, indeed, distinguished from works, as the apostle says, ‘that a person is justified by faith without works.’ And there are works that seem to be good … because they are not referred to that end from which they are good. ‘For the end of the law is Christ, unto justice to everyone who believes.’ Therefore, he did not wish to separate faith from work, but he said that faith itself is a work. For this is the faith that works by love. He did not say, ‘This is your work’ but ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent,’ so that he who takes glory may take glory in the Lord.” Augustine (354-430 AD)
The work of God is to believe in Him Whom He has sent. This is a work of God because it is both what He requires, as well as a work only He can do. Do you thank the Lord daily for His work in your life?
Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORDheard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34.1-8
Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!
When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!
When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!
Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!
T. M. Moore
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.
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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.
