Gaining Everything; Losing Nothing

Things change, over time. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. I recently ran across a list of the prices as advertised in our area just 100 years ago. My how things have changed!

The average income was around $2200.

Unemployment was just 5%.

A new car costs $300.

A new home would be just under $8,000.

A gallon of gas was 11 cents.

A gallon of milk would be 54 cents,

A loaf of bread was just nine cents.

A stamp would cost two cents.

Life expectancy was just over 54 (Prices in 1924 – A Look Thru Time).

As great as most of these sound, just five years later, would be the greatest economic disaster to ever come to our country, in the Great Depression. And we were quickly reminded how dependent we were upon God.

Thankfully, we serve a Savior who is gentle and lowly, who welcomes us as we come to Him with the critical knowledge that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Today, we turn to a statement in Jesus ministry that reminds us of our blessings in Him. It is a statement that Jesus gives in John 6:35

John 6:35 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.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

This statement comes after Jesus performs one of His greatest miracles, the feeding of the 5,000.

In John 6:5, we are told,

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’"

Christ was concerned about the crowd’s physical needs. He asks a rhetorical question that is similar to Moses’ question in Numbers 11:13: “Where am I to get meat to give to all these people?” The difference is that Moses was in a fit of desperation by saying: “For they weep all over me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'”

In contrast, Jesus knows what is about to happen, but He is leading the disciples into an opportunity to trust Him and witness His deity.

It would take an enormous amount of money to feed the crowd, at least eight months of wages. In other words, it was an impossibility to have enough money to purchase supplies to feed the crowd. And all they had was five loaves of bread and two fish.

Verse 10 states that there were 5,000 men who sat down, but this does not count the women and children. It could have easily doubled the figure.

After Jesus gave thanks, he had the bread and fish distributed to the people, as much as they wanted. When done, 12 large baskets were filled with the fragments.

Christ goes on to use the miracle as an illustration of His deity and His mission from God to be the bread of life for those who are willing to follow Him.

Just as Moses distributed the meat and manna from heaven during the wilderness wanderings, Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves.

The topic that Jesus is going to use is food, but not the kind that you and I think about usually. Spiritual food will be the topic as Jesus relates His importance to those who would believe in Him.

For instance, Jesus tells us that there are two kinds of food in verse 26. The disciples had been looking for him ever since the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Jesus answered,

“I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

At these comments, the crowd throws a number of questions at our Lord. Take notice of them, John 6:28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus turns that question on its head by stating in verse 29:

John 6:29 ESV

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

If we take notice of the first question, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" In other words, what do I have to do to receive God’s favor?

These Jews had been used to hearing what they had to do to receive God’s favor, they were looking past the one who had received the favor of God on their behalf- Jesus Christ.

People still do that today. The worldly man thinks he has to earn eternal life; God has already done the work and calls you to trust Him.

Because of this, spiritual life is not a matter of dos and don’ts, but a matter of knowing Christ, of feeding on Christ, the true bread. After faith has taken its root, then good works naturally follow.

And John 6:30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Evidently, they forgot what Jesus just did for them!

But notice that Jesus plainly states where the true bread’s origin is! John 6:32 Then Jesus said to them,

"Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

After this statement of self-identifying as the bread of life, the true manna that sustains every child of God through faith in Jesus, Christ then gives the catalyst for those who come to Him. It is the Father granting it.

“All that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me and the one who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out.”

That portion translated “certainly not” (in the NASB), is a double negative in the Greek, showing emphasis. In other words, to the one who genuinely comes to Christ, nothing will keep Jesus from receiving you.

I like the way that Dane Ortlund depicts this in his book, Gentle and Lowly, based off of Puritan John Bunyan’s thoughts on verse 37. He says:

“No, wait”- we say, cautiously approaching Jesus- “You don’t understand. I’ve really messed up, in all kinds of ways.”

“I know,” Jesus responds.

“You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than what others see. But there’s perversity down inside me that his hidden from everyone.”

“I know it all.”

Well, the thing is, it isn’t just my past, it’s my present too.”

“I understand.”

“But I don’t know if I can break free of this any time soon.”

“That’s the only kind of person I’m here to help.”

“The burden is heavy- and heavier all the time.”

“Then let me carry it.”

“It’s too much to bear.”

“Not for me.”

“You don’t get it. My offenses aren’t directed toward others. They’re against you.”

“Then I’m the one most suited to forgive them.”

“But the more of the ugliness in me you discover, the sooner you’ll get fed up with me.”

“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (Ortlund, 63-64)

Yet Christ was ministering to an unbelieving crowd, even though he had performed the miracle of feeding them in the desert wilderness just 24 hours before. John 6:36: “But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.”

This brings up the subject of how does one become a genuine Christian today?

WHO? All those who come to Christ.

In John 6:37 Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

WHAT? That those who are given genuine faith are secure in it.

None shall be lost. John 6:39: “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” True Christians remain Christians till the day they die.

WHY? They are Christians because of God’s work in them through the Holy Spirit.

John 6:44:

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. “

Jesus says: “It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”

Can you recall in your spiritual journey, who, what or where God used to call you to Himself? I could name you several individuals. People like Bernice Scherlinger, an elderly woman, who opened up her home to me and several other children every Tuesday afternoon where we heard about Jesus and had refreshments.

Or Pastor Daryl, who guided me spiritually through some difficult teenage years and taught me to walk by the Spirit and to read my Bible daily.

And then there was my first year in seminary when I thought I had all the answers. I had just graduated from Christian college with a Religious studies degree. Seminary was going to be a rehearsal of the things I had already been studying, or so I thought.

Then I met a friend who told me of God’s grace. I had heard of the word before, but up to that time, I thought it just meant forgiveness or acceptance. That was half-true. Rather, the grace that he spoke of was an action word, a verb, an effort that God performed in my heart in bringing me to faith.

Ortlund states:

“Divine grace is so radical that it reaches down and turns around our very desires. Our eyes are opened. Christ becomes beautiful. We come to Him. And anyone is welcome.” (Ortlund, 61).

The reason you are a Christian is not because you were smart enough or because you have a better heart than anyone else. It is because of God’s mercy!

Jesus would go on to say...

John 6:48–51 ESV

48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Bread in first century Palestine was a part of every meal. While we Americans like our meat and potatoes, first century Jews always had bread with the meal.

The following are just a few applications of the drawing of the Spirit in the life of the believer.

1. Faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely essential for eternal life. These Scriptures remind us of the importance of Jesus Christ to each one of us. He is our spiritual food. No doubt this was part of the intention in celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

2. Faith is not a product of human achievement, but of God’s work in a person. Rather, it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Romans 9:16: “It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.”

3. Faith is a product of God drawing and leading the individual to trust Christ. (John 6:37, 44, 65).

This may make you a bit comfortable. But that is okay. It is necessary to see yourself as completely dependent upon God.

4. Being kept in the faith is a result of God’s grace, as Jesus prayed for such things. (John 17; 1 Peter 1:5)

1 Peter 1:5 ESV

5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Conclusion

Henri Nouwen imagined this story of two fraternal twins chatting in the womb:

The sister announces to her brother, “I believe there is life after birth.” He protests, “No, no, this is all there is. This is a dark and cozy place, and we have nothing to do but cling to the cord that feeds us.”

But she insists, “There must be something more than this dark place. There must be something else, a place with light, where there is freedom to move.”

She can’t convince him. Later, she adds, “I have something else to say, and I’m afraid you won’t like it either, but I think there is a Mother.” Her brother becomes furious.

“A Mother!?” he shouts. “What are you talking about? I have never seen a mother, and neither have you. Who put that idea in your head? As I told you, this place is all we have. Why do you always want more? This is not such a bad place, after all. We have all we need, so let’s be content.”

Hurt deeply, she doesn’t say anything for a long time. But she can’t let go of her thoughts, and with no one else to talk to, finally she says, “Don’t you feel those squeezes once in a while? They’re quite unpleasant and sometimes even painful.”

“So?” he replies. “Well,” the sister says, “I think that these squeezes are there to get us ready for another place, much more beautiful than this, where we will see our Mother face to face. Don’t you think that’s exciting?” The brother doesn’t answer. He’s fed up with the foolish talk.

This story reminds me that there are two kinds of people in this world-

One person thinks that this is all that there is; he does not believe in God or the afterlife, or something better. He doesn’t see the need for Jesus’ redemptive work and so rejects that He needs anyone’s help beyond himself.

And then there is the one who knows that there is something better. He believes he was made for something better. He trusts God and His only Son, the Lord Jesus, seeing the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross as that which secures such a place for him. Thus, he endures the squeezes for the time being, knowing that better things await him.