From John 5-6
The work of God is to believe in the one he sent. Jesus Christ. So listen to him and believe what he says. Those who believe have eternal life and the Spirit of Jesus will raise them on the last day, as Jesus was raised.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
The gospel according to John has a large number of memorable passages. I found this one fairly encouraging.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (Jn 6.25-29)
The Jews were used to obeying their law. The commands that required some sort of action, either ‘deeds’ or ‘works’ they called the ‘works of law’. I’m assuming this from Paul’s usage (Rom 3.20,28; Gal 2.16). But Jesus changes all this he overrides these ‘works’ with another. To believe in Jesus. Everything starts from there.
30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” (Jn 6.30-34)
Playing on the idea that everyone needs food to live. Jesus gives the concept a spiritual dimension. The bread of God that gives life, eternal life, is a person who has come down from heaven. Who is this person?
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn 6.35-40)
Jesus is clearly dealing with people who struggle to believe he is the one. He ends this section though with an encouraging note.
- He will lose no one the Father has given him (v39)
- They will have eternal life and be raised on the last day (v40)
About Jesus
The work of God is to believe in the one he sent. Jesus Christ. So listen to him and believe what he says. Those who believe have eternal life and the Spirit of Jesus will raise them on the last day, as Jesus was raised.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
