GETTING STARTED
Often a passage from Scripture has quite a bit of subtle nuance and takes some real digging to understand. Other times, it says what it says in such a way that we can understand its meaning clearly. Today’s passaged falls into the latter category.
- When was a time in your life that something seemed crystal clear to you?
READ THE WORD: JOHN 6:35-40 (ESV)
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. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 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. 40 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.”
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
DIGGING DEEPER
- What are the three definitive statements Jesus made in verse 35, and what do they teach us about him?
- Notice the repetition of the word “whoever” (vss. 35, 37). What does this tell us about who can come to Jesus?
- Why did Jesus “come down from heaven” (vs. 38)?
- What is the Father’s will for Jesus, and for all people (vss. 39-40)?
- What does this passage mean for you specifically?
RESPOND TO GOD
So many times, we make following Jesus and reading God’s Word so complicated that it can scare us off from wanting to make the effort. Passages like this remind us that Jesus came to give us life eternally. He came to take away the dividing wall between him and us. He came to give us himself. In Jesus, we have the fullness of God’s love, mercy, and grace displayed for us. And through Jesus, we can live this life free from fear and doubt. That much is clear!
- Talk to God about areas of your relationship with Jesus that you may be making too complicated.
- Reflect on any areas where you need to trust what the Bible says. Write those down and ask your Heavenly Father to help you in those areas. Trust him to do it!