John 6:34-35 Then said they to him, Lord, ever more give us this bread.… 1. All life is valuable in its degree. Vegetable life is superior to dead matter, animal to vegetable life, rational to animal, the life of God to human life. 2. This latter was man's once; but it was forfeited, and is now restored by the Spirit. Hence Scripture loves to present religion under the notion of life; not as a picture that is only resemblance, not as mechanism that is only form. 3. The relation in which Christ stands to this life. He is "bread," its nourishment; bread, i.e., "bruised corn." He becomes our Saviour by His death. 4. Bread is nothing to us unless eaten, so unless we "eat the flesh of the Son of God," etc. I. THE WAY IN WHICH WE DERIVE ADVANTAGE FROM HIM. By coming to Him or believing on Him. 1. This reminds us that Christ is accessible. "Where two or three," etc. 2. It teaches us that faith is not a notion, but a principle always attended with an application of the soul to the Redeemer. 3. This application is not a single address, but a continued exercise. "Cometh." II. THE HAPPINESS HIS FOLLOWERS SHALL ENJOY. 1. They shall never hunger nor thirst again after the world. Having tasted the provisions of God's house, their language is, "Lord, ever more give us this bread." A covetous, sensual, ambitious Christian is one the Scripture knows nothing of. 2. They shall not hunger and thirst in vain. The new creature has appetites, but ample provision is .made for them. 3. They shall not hunger and thirst always. The days of imperfect enjoyment will soon be over.Conclusion; The subject is a standard by which we may estimate — 1. Christ. 2. Faith. 3. The Christian. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.WEB: They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." |