For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. Sermons
1. That the majority of Christs hearers disbelieved him. His verdict at last was, "Ye believe not;" "Ye will not come." 2. That they disbelieved him in spite of the greatest advantages to faith. (Ver. 36.) 3. That in spite of their obstinate unbelief and cruel rejection, the gracious purposes of God and the mission of Jesus will not be void. "For all that the Father giveth me," etc. Notice - I. THE FATHER'S WILL. We see in this will: 1. That he has given a certain number of the human family to Christ. In a general and a true sense all the human family have been given him; they are the objects of his saving love and grace. All are invited to the gospel feast, and commanded to repent. The earth is Immanuel's land, and the human race, without exception or partiality, are the objects of his saving mercy. But there are some specially given to Christ; they are spoken of as such: "All that the Father giveth me." They have been given in the past in purpose; they are given in the present in fact. This suggests: (1) That the salvation of the human family is carried on according to the eternal purpose and plan of God. Everything has been arranged from the beginning. Nothing happens by accident; neither the Father nor the Son is ever taken by surprise. (2) That the mission of Christ is not a speculation, but with regard to him an absolute certainty. Speculation is a term unapplicable to Divine proceedings; they are fixed and determined as to their mode and result. Jesus lived and acted on earth in the full consciousness of this. And who would not rejoice that the blessed Redeemer was not in this hostile world as the creature of chance and at the mercy of fate, but ever fortified with the knowledge of his Father's will and purpose, the consciousness of his Father's love, and the certainty of the success of his own mission? 2. That the Father gave these to Christ, because he knew that they would come to him. Let it be remembered that the division of time, as past, present, and future, is nothing to God. All time to him is present. In his plans and election he experienced no difficulty arising from ignorance, but all was divinely clear to him. And we see that he is not arbitrary in his selections, We know that his authority is absolute; that he has the same authority over man as the potter over the clay. He can do as he likes, and perhaps this is the only answer he would give to some questioners, "I can do as I like." But we know that he cannot like to do anything that is wrong, unreasonable, or unfair. He cannot act from mere caprice, but his actions are harmonious with all his attributes, as well as with the highest reason; and can give a satisfactory reason for all acts, and justify himself to his intelligent creatures. The principle on which he gave certain of the human family to Christ was willingness on their part to come to him. In the gifts of his providence he has regard to adaptation - he gives water to quench thirst, etc. But, in giving human souls to Christ, he had a special regard to the human will. He knew as an absolute fact that some would refuse his offer of grace in Christ, and that others would gladly accept the same offer under the same conditions. The former he neither would nor could, the latter he graciously gave. It is an invariable characteristic of those given to Christ that they give themselves to him. 3. Those given to Christ shall certainly come to him. "All that the Father giveth me shall," etc. Jesus was certain of this. And if given, they come; and if they come, they were given. Divine foreknowledge is never at fault, and Divine grace can never fail to be effective with regard to those thus given to Christ. Their coming was included in the gift. There was the knowledge of their coming, and every grace, motive, and help was promised with the gifts; so that their arrival to Christ is certain. They shall come, in spite of every opposition and difficulty from within and without. 4. That these were given to Christ in trust for special purposes. These are set forth: (1) Negatively. "That I should lose nothing" (ver. 39). Not one, not the least, and not even anything necessary to the happiness of that one., (2) Affirmatively. "May have everlasting life." The highest good they could wish and enjoy. (3) That they should have these blessings on the most reasonable and easy terms. By simple acceptance of the gift, and simple and trustful faith in the Giver (ver. 40). II. JESUS AS THE EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE OF THE FATHER"S WILL. In these capacities: 1. He is most gracious, for (1) the work involves the greatest responsibilities. It is true that those given shall come to him. But look at their miserable condition. They are guilty; he must procure their pardon. They are condemned; he must justify them. They are corrupt; he must cleanse and sanctify them. They are sick; he must heal them. They are in debt; he must pay it. The responsibilities are infinite. (2) It involves the greatest self-sacrifice. To meet these responsibilities required the greatest self sacrifice possible. Before they could be justified, he himself must be condemned; to heal them, he must be mortally wounded; to make them rich, he must become poor; to pay their debt, he must lay down his life as a ransom; and to bring them unto glory, he must be made "perfect through sufferings." What but infinite love would accept the trust and execute the will? 2. He is most tenderly and universally inviting. "Him that cometh to me I will," etc. These words are most tender and inviting. They were uttered in the painful consciousness that many would not come to him, although there were infinite provisions and welcome. The door of salvation need not be wider, nor the heart of the Saviour more tender, than this. There is no restriction, no favouritism. "Him that cometh." 3. He is most adapted for his position. This will appear if we consider: (1) That he is divinely appointed. "The Father which sent me." The Father appointed him to be the Trustee and Executor of his will. And he knew whom to appoint. He acts under the highest authority. (2) He was willing to undertake the trust. It is true that he was sent, but as true that he came. "I am come down from heaven" (ver. 38). There was no coercion. His mission was as acceptable to him as it was pleasing to the Father, so that he has great delight in his work. (3) He is thoroughly acquainted with the Divine will. Perfect knowledge is essential to perfect execution. Many profess to know much, but where is the proof? Jesus proves his knowledge by revelation. "This is my Father's will," etc. He was acquainted with all its responsibilities, its purposes, and sufferings, as well as all the difficulties in carrying it out. This he knew from the beginning before he undertook the trust. (4) He is enthusiastically devoted to both parties - to the Testator and the legatees. He is devoted to the Father. "I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but," etc. He had a will of his own, but in his mediatorial office it was entirely merged in that of his Father. He is equally devoted to the objects of his Father's love; for "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." And he could say more - he would help and almost compel him to come in. (5) He is divinely competent. He is the Son of God, the Elect of the Father, ever conscious of his capacities for this work. Not a shadow of doubt in this respect ever came across his mind. He was serenely conscious of fulness, of power, of life - the fulness of the Godhead; and he gave ample proof of his Divine competency as he went along. The sick were healed, the dead were raised, the guilty were pardoned, and all penitents who appealed to him were saved. Naturally and well he might say, "I will raise him up at the last clay." And being able to do this, he can do all. All the qualifications necessary to execute the Divine will with regard to the human race fully meet in him. "His will be done." LESSONS. 1. The purposes of the Divine will are in safe hands. Not one shall suffer on his account. 2. The lives of believers are in safe custody. Nothing will be lost. 3. The mission of Jesus is certain of success. "All that the Father giveth me," etc. 4. The perdition of man must come entirely from himself. All the purposes and dispensations of God, all the mediatorial work of Jesus, are for his salvation. All that God in Christ could do for his deliverance is done. Nothing but his own will can stand between him and eternal life. 5. The duty of all to come to Jesus and accept his grace. There is a marked difference between the conduct of Jesus and the conduct of those who reject him. He receives the vilest; they reject the most holy and gracious One. He opens the door to the most undeserving; they close it against the pride of angels, the inspiration of the redeemed, and the glory of heaven and earth. Beware of trifling with the long suffering mercy of Jesus. The last thing he can do is to cast out; but when he casts out, he casts out terribly. - B.T.
For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. The amazing love of the Father appears —I. IN HIS SPARING THIS GUILTY WORLD, though He spared not the angels that sinned. His mercy is seen in man's long day of grace, and in thy day of grace, sinner. Accept it ere the dawn of the day of judgment. II. IN CHOOSING AND DRAWING GUILTY MEN TO BE SAVED. To give men liberty to be saved is love indeed; to provide a ransom is love higher still; but its loftiest height is seen in the drawing operations of Father, Son, and Spirit. But for this men would not come at all. III. IN HIS GIVING CHRIST TO BE THE WAY OF SALVATION (chap. John 3:16; Romans 8:32). Had He shot down a beam of heavenly light, or caused us to hear a heavenly note, this would have left us inexcusable; but He gave the best of His treasures. He resolved that all salvation should be found in the Son, and avoided leaving any details to us. IV. IN HIS REVEALING HIMSELF TO US THROUGH CHRIST (chap. John 14:9, 10). Not through an interpreter, but through One who shared His nature and was the perfect embodiment of His will. V. IN APPOINTING THE ETERNAL REWARD FOR REDEEMED SINNERS THROUGH CHRIST (ver. 39, 40). (A. A. Bonar) I. CHRIST CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN.1. How does it appear that He was originally in heaven? (vers. 33, 51, 62).(1) He had a real existence before He was born (chap. John 1:15; 8:58).(2) He was before the world (Hebrews 1:8); for He made the world (Hebrews 1:2, 8, 10; Colossians 1:14-16; John 1:1, 2).(3) The existence He had before was purely Divine (Philippians 2:6-7; Acts 20:28).(4) The Divine nature was communicated to Him from the Father (chap. John 5:26; 7:29; 16:15; Hebrews 1:3).(5) Hence He is said to be in heaven by reason of His Divine essence, which He always had from and with the Father (John 6:62). 2. What are we to understand by His coming down from heaven? His assuming our human nature, and in it conversing upon earth (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16). II. As Christ came from heaven, so HE CAME NOT TO DO HIS OWN WILL, BUT HIS THAT SENT HIM. 1. Christ's will as He is God is no way different from the Father's. 2. As man His will was distinct from the Father's, but still subordinate to it (Luke 22:42); and therefore though He had a will of His own as man, yet He came not to fulfil that. 3. But our Saviour speaks not here of Himself, either as God or man, but as God-man, Mediator, one sent from the Father to do His will.From hence it follows — 1. That God's will only is the fountain of man's happiness and salvation. For — (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) 2. That Christ came to accomplish the will of God. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) III. USES. 1. Give God the glory of your salvation. 2. Bless Him for all the means of it. (1) (2) (3) 3. Trust Him only for the accomplishment of your salvation. (1) (2) (3) 4. Hence learn also of your Saviour — (1) (2) (1) (2) (3) (4) (Bp. Beveridge.) In a daring inroad beyond the Tigris, Abu Taher advanced to the gates of the capital with no more than five hundred horse. By the special order of Moctador the bridges had been broken down, and the person or head of the rebel was expected every hour by the Commander of the Faithful. His lieutenant, from a motive of fear or pity, apprised Abu Taher of his danger, and recommended a speedy escape. "Your master," said the intrepid Carmathian to the messenger, "is at the head of thirty thousand soldiers; three such men as these are wanting in his host." At the same instant, turning to three of his companions, he commanded the first to plunge a dagger into his own breast, the second to leap into the Tigris, and the third to cast himself headlong down a precipice. They obeyed without a murmur. "Relate what you have seen," continued the Imam. "Before the evening your general shall be chained among my dogs." Before evening the camp was surprised and the menace executed.(Gibbon.) The end of life is not to do good, although many of us think so. It is not to win souls, although I once thought so. The end of life is to do the will of God whatever it may be.(Professor Drummond.) This is the Father's will... that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. I. THE DIVINE SIDE OF THE WORK OF SALVATION.1. How sovereign its character. The Father's will is independent, omnipotent, unchangeable, perfect, full of love. 2. The obedient servant of that will (ver. 38). Christ came not to do His own will, His own private purposes, but "the commandment of the Father" (Psalm 40.). To this end He took on Him the form of a servant (Isaiah 42.).(1) This was needful as an example for us;(2) and that we may know that Christ is no amateur Saviour. He has come willingly enough, but the reason was the Father's will. So that when Christ forgives or receives it is the Father's will. 3. God's will was that His Son should have disciples, a flock, members, a bride, brethren. 4. These persons Jesus undertook to keep, and to raise them up at the last day. II. THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE WORK OF SALVATION (ver. 40). 1. This is still based on the Divine will. 2. The same obedient servant is engaged in it. 3. The terms are "seeing and believing on the Son." We cannot see Christ with our natural organs, but we can read and hear about Him. The eyes of our understanding discern Him; the sense of faith recognizes Him. 4. These terms are open to all. "Every one," the man of great or of little faith, rich or poor, etc. None are excluded but those who exclude themselves. 5. Those who believe in Jesus are in a present state of safety. They have everlasting life.Conclusion: 1. Never fear that there is anything in the secret purposes of God which can contradict His open promises. Never dream if you are a believer that any dark decree can shut you out from the benefits of grace. 2. Fear not that your believing will end in failure. (C. H. Spurgeon.) (text, and Mark 6:3): — Scripture speaks of Christ as the Servant of the Lord. But not till most of His brief history had passed did He begin to preach the gospel. For thirty years He was engaged in the everyday duties of life.I. OUR DAILY WORK MAY BE TRUE SERVICE FOR GOD. Housework, the innumerable details of a mother's lot, manual labour, a sufferer's duties, commercial life, brain-toil — for these we may be as truly sent of God as an apostle or a prophet. 1. God's providential appointment shows where He wants our work. That we have our particular gifts, that our training fits us for a special post, that circumstances uncontrolled by us have brought us to a certain position, that our position involves definite duties — what are these but God pointing to what He requires us to do. 2. It were unlikely that most of our life should be necessarily spent on what has no vital bearing on eternity. No small feature of the blessedness of heaven is that there they serve Him. Consecration to Christ involves that He be glorified by our entire being. He claims us wholly. It is said that there is a point in the upper air where the discordant sounds of earth blend in harmony, the noise of the streets cannot be distinguished from the murmur of the sea, nor the shout of the battle from the chime of bells, nor the mirthful song from the sufferer's moan — there they are one; so the varied parts of our life may blend in a harmonious voice of praise ceaselessly rising to our exalted Lord, as by Himself the will of God was done as truly at the carpenter's bench aa in the most solemn agony of the garden and the cross. II. SOME OF THE DIRECTIONS IN WHICH THIS DIVINE SERVICE MAY BE RENDERED. 1. Our daily toil tends to the well-being of others. The domestic servant contributes to the comfort of the home, the mechanic serves many a real human need, the teacher by voice or pen spreads knowledge, the physician and the nurse heal the body, the artist trains some of the higher faculties of the mind, the merchant produces or makes earth's productions available; there is no right calling which does not in some way benefit mankind. 2. And daily toil presents the best opportunity for manifesting the religion of Christ. 3. Daily toil is one of the great schools for training spiritual life. III. THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS SERVICE SHOWS THE SACREDNESS OF OUR WORKDAY LIFE. 1. That all work may be Divine may well reconcile us to tasks that seem lowly. 2. This suggests a searching test of our belonging to Christ. For what is it to be Christ's, but to share His life. If we are only Christians on Sundays we are not Christ's. 3. This shows God's way to larger service presently. Was it not because He did the will of Him that sent Him in that humble village home, that He learnt to say in trial more awful than man can know, "Father, not as I will, but as Thou wilt"? (C. New.) I. CHRIST WILL LOSE NONE THAT ARE GIVEN TO HIM.1. How doth God give us to Christ? (1) (2) (3) (4) 2. How shall those not be lost? They shall have — (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) II. CHRIST'S CARE OVER HIS PEOPLE REACHES TO THE DAY OF THEIR RESURRECTION. 1. God's justice will raise the wicked — (1) (2) (3) 2. Christ will raise the saints to bless them — (1) (2) III. USES. 1. Carefully attend those means which God gives to bring your souls to Christ. 2. Commit your souls only to Christ's care (1 Peter 4:19). 3. Live as becomes Christians. (Bp. Beveridge.) The next thing we learn here is that all these persons Jesus Christ undertook to keep. He should "lose nothing." This is a very remarkable expression. The Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, has taken all those who were given of the Father to Him into His custody. He is the surety; He is responsible for them, and He keeps them.(C. H. Spurgeon.) I. EACH MAN HAS HIS LAST DAY. To each a sun rises of which he never sees the setting, or a sun sets of which he never sees the rising.II. FAMILIES HAVE THEIR LAST DAY. Households part never to meet again. Ancient lines dating back beyond the Conquest, at last come to an end. The ancestral mansion is vacant, the title is extinct, the estates revert to the state. In almost every community "there is one alone, he hath neither child nor brother," and his last day will be the last day of his name and race. III. STATES ALSO HAVE THEIR LAST DAY. Where are the thrones of Carthage and Tyre, of Assyria and Egypt, of Macedon and Rome? One sun arose on them still breathing, the next found them only matters of history. In the interval they had passed from something to nothing. And other states occupied their places; not a few of whom, in their turn, have expired and been laid away in the cemeteries of history. IV. THE WORLD WILL HAVE ITS LAST DAY. We have the best authority for saying that the time will come when the human race will disappear in a body from the earth, and the planet itself and all things therein be burned up. Exactly when this greatest of last days will come we are not informed. The month, the year, the century, the millennium even, in which it will occur, is not foretold. So little hint is given of its exact locality in history, that its actual advent will take the world by surprise. Up rolls the last sun from the east as brightly and steadily as usual. Men get them to their business, their pleasures, without a thought of change. (E. F. Burr.) When a farmer holds in his hand the first ripe sheaf of corn he has in possession an unassailable proof that he will have a harvest. More decisive and satisfactory evidence to that effect could not be desired by any reasonable man. Long before this time the precious seed had been east into the dark bosom of the earth, when no tokens were visible that nature possessed any power of life. But in due season the sun began to warm the sleeping world, the gentle rain from heaven fell upon the place beneath, and the winds of the south whispered of a coming revival. Soon there was first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the car, soon the first ripe sheaf telling of a harvest at hand. Christ is the first-fruits of them that slept, the infallible proof that we shall have a resurrection from the gloomy winter of death.(Archibald Craig.) Trees, in the winter time, appear to the view of all men as if they were withered and quite dead, yet when the springtime comes, they become alive again, and, as before, do bring forth their buds, blossoms, leaves, and fruit, The reason is because the body, grain, and arms of the tree are all joined and fastened to the root where the sap lies all the winter time, and from thence, by reason of so near conjunction, it is derived in the springtime to all parts of the tree. Even so the bodies of men have their winter also, and that is in death, in which time they are turned into dust, and so remain for a time. Yet in the springtime, that is, in the last day, at the resurrection of all flesh, by means of the mystical union with Christ, His Divine and quickening virtue shall stream from thence to all the bodies of His members, and cause them to Live again, and that to life eternal.(Strode.) People Andrew, Jesus, Joseph, Judas, Peter, Philip, SimonPlaces Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Sea of Tiberias, TiberiasTopics Heaven, Pleasure, SeekOutline 1. Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes.15. Thereupon the people would have made him king; 16. but withdrawing himself, he walks on the sea to his disciples; 26. reproves the people flocking after him, and all the fleshly hearers of his word; 32. declares himself to be the bread of life to believers. 66. Many disciples depart from him. 68. Peter confesses him. 70. Judas is a devil. Dictionary of Bible Themes John 6:38 1115 God, purpose of 4915 completion 7950 mission, of Christ Library May 9 EveningIt is I; be not afraid.--JOHN 6:20. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.--I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Woe is me! for I am undone; . . . mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims … Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path December 22 Morning August 8 Evening November 21 Morning June 29 Morning March 14 Evening October 23 Evening December 17 Morning October 29 Evening October 14 Evening September 8. "He that Eateth Me, Even He Shall Live by Me" (John vi. 57). June 22. "This is that Bread which came Down from Heaven" (John vi. 58). The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel 'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces' The Fifth Miracle in John's Gospel How to Work the Work of God The Manna Redemption (Continued) The Study of the Bible Recommended; and a Method of Studying it Described. The Attractive Power of God The Gospel Feast The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 53, "Except Ye Eat the Flesh," Etc. , and on the Words of the Apostles. And the Psalms. Against On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 55,"For My Flesh is Meat Indeed, and My Blood is Drink Indeed. He that Eateth My Flesh," Etc. Links John 6:38 NIVJohn 6:38 NLT John 6:38 ESV John 6:38 NASB John 6:38 KJV John 6:38 Bible Apps John 6:38 Parallel John 6:38 Biblia Paralela John 6:38 Chinese Bible John 6:38 French Bible John 6:38 German Bible John 6:38 Commentaries Bible Hub |