We continue our series of hearing from our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ. We continue our series in the gospel of John. I invite you to find your Bibles and find John 6 with me.
If you were to pause to consider some of the most important speeches in American history, you might think about Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech all the way back in 1775. Others might point to Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech that fueled civil rights in 1963. But, none of these compare to the eternal significance of Jesus’ message delivered in His hometown synagogue in Capernaum (John 6:59).
If we look at His message through the lens of our eternal future, surely Jesus’ message is on a different level altogether. Jesus clearly shows us our “why” for this life and the next.
Invitation
After today’s message, you will be invited to respond to Jesus’ offer of a clean, fresh start. You can respond by going to the Encourager’s Room or a virtual room. If you would like someone to pray with you, we are here. We would love to meet with you personally.
In the moments to come, Jesus will challenge us. Today, we would say, “Buckle up,” because part of what Jesus is saying is really difficult to hear. Even the disciples who first heard Jesus speak these words respond, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (John 6:60b).
Today’s Scripture
So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 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.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum” (John 6:41-54, 59).
This is heated dialogue, and it’s really heavy in parts. What do we get from it?
I want to answer 3 questions with you this morning:
Sermon Preview
1. Why Do Some People Believe?
2. Do I Have a Need to be in Control?
3. How Is This Relevant to Me?
1. You Don’t Come to Me, I Come to You
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).
1.1 Resistance
Resistance to Jesus is increasing as you move along in the story of the gospel of John.
1.1.1 The Jews
The Bible says “a large crowd” is following Jesus back in verse 2 as well as verses 5, 22, and 24. Ominously, John does not use the term “crowd” but “the Jews” in verse 41. John, a Jew, tells us about a group he calls “The Jews,” who will oppose Christianity at nearly every turn. Don’t let race and ethnicity confuse you.
John’s Gospel uses the “the Jews” 70 times.1 John knows that Jesus is Jewish, and some Jews are believers in John’s gospel. Resistance to Jesus soon grew to resentment for Jesus. Just as Lincoln offered his Gettysburg Address in 1863, where he only spoke for 2 minutes, during a time of conflict, Jesus speaks in the face of fierce resistance.
1.1.2 Grumble
This group grumbles about Him. They specifically complain about His claim that He is the “living bread that came down from heaven” in verse 41. Notice in verse 42, “We know his parents. How can he claim heavenly origin when his human ties to Joseph and Mary are so plain?”2 They were saying, in effect, “Don’t listen to him. He is a nobody from the sticks of Galilee, the son of a carpenter named Joseph. Listen to us.” They don’t get Jesus, and they don’t want to get Jesus. If I faced grumbling or complaining, I would tell you to stop your whining. We might even add a story, “You think you have it bad? I walked uphill both ways when we were kids.” ?
Jesus seems to give a non-sequitur in verse 44. Instead of Jesus explaining His supernatural birth from the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem, Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).
1.3 The Father Draws
Instead of giving reasons why He is the Son of God and the Bread of Heaven, Jesus says the only people who believe in Him are the ones the Father first draws. When Jesus faces stiff resistance, He points to the Father’s ability to draw people to Himself as a reason for the opposition He’s facing. Jesus believes people are drawn and NOT driven to God. Jesus believes God, and not arguing, brings people to Him.3 Jesus says it with such confidence though this causes us such confusion.
1.3.1 Five Quick Facts about the Father’s “Drawing”
What does Jesus mean when He says the Father draws us?
Here are 5 Quick facts about the Father’s Drawing.
1. It’s obvious Jesus is speaking about nonbelievers who don’t get Him and don’t want to get Him (John 6:43).
2. The Greek word “draws” means “to draw or to drag.”4
3. I cannot see God’s drawing as it is invisible, but I can see the results over time when I witness the change in your life.
I picture God’s drawing as the current of a river pulling us along; only here, the current of the Holy Spirit draws the nonbelievers to Jesus.
4. It’s specifically the Holy Spirit who draws us to embrace Christ as Savior and Lord, as Jesus later explains in the gospel of John (John 16:4-10).
5. This is entirely consistent with what we know of God because He loved us first before we loved Him (1 John 4:19).
The Lord always makes the first move to seek us out. Jesus teaches us that coming to Jesus is not a matter ultimately a matter of human decision alone. Yes, it involves a human decision, but it is ultimately the work of the Father.
1.3.2 Am I Reading This Correctly?
If your eyes look down at verse 64, you’ll see Jesus repeats the thought of verse 44: “‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father’” (John 6:64-65).
The “draw[ing]” of verse 44 seems to be a synonym of “grant[ing]” in verse 65. Consider verse 37 just a few verses above: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
Verse 37 is the mirror image of verse 45, if you will.
Verse 37 says you will come if the Father gives you to Jesus, where verse 44 says you cannot come if the Father does not draw you.
The “grant[ing]”” of verse 65 is the “give[ing]” of verse 37. When the Father draws a nonbeliever to Himself, it’s as if I were to grab your shirt tail in order to bring you closer to me.
1.4 The Father Teaches
Jesus then quotes from the prophet Isaiah in verse 45: “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).
“It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—” (John 6:45).
Now, we see that God’s “draw[ing]” in verse 44 and His “grant[ing]” in verse 65 is His “teach[ing]” in verse 45. God loves you so much that He teaches His children.
1.4.1 The Holy Spirit Teaches
Jesus is absolutely confident the voice of the Holy Spirit is teaching as He speaks. Yes, some grumble and oppose Him. But others are drawn to Him, and the voice of the Holy Spirit teaches them. Many call this “teach[ing]” illumination. God turns the light on inside of you as you read the Bible, you hear a sermon, or a friend share the message of the cross.
1.4.2 Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas describes a time when he was done with the Catholic church in his autobiography, My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir. He had been raised as a Roman Catholic and attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. But while there, he parted ways with the church, though not forever. Here is what he said:
“During my second week on campus, I went to Mass for the first and last time at Holy Cross. I don’t know why I bothered — probably habit, or guilt — but whatever the reasons, I got up and walked out midway through the homily. It was all about Church dogma, not the social problems with which I was obsessed, and seemed to me hopelessly irrelevant.”5
We are not Catholics, but the point is the same. There are some “Clarence Thomases” here this morning. Your mind is elsewhere as I‘m talking. Your mind is on the election or the beginning of your school year. You cannot pay your mortgage, or your family’s dog just died. You are tempted to get up and walk out. Yet, the Spirit draws you to something more eternal and more significant. God illuminates you; He teaches you. The Holy Spirit turns the light on inside of you. Jesus teaches us that God does utterly astounding things for you to be a child of God.
1. The Spirit of God is drawing you (verse 44);
2. He gives you to the Father (verse 37);
3. You are granted entrance to the Father (verse 65).
4. And lastly, you are taught by the Father (verse 45).
1.4.2 ALL
Notice Jesus says “all” and “everyone” in verse 45. Jesus says, “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (John 6:45b). Every single person who is drawn by the Father is also taught by the Father. God is teaching every person who the Father draws.
So, the “everyone” in verse 45 cannot be everyone on earth; otherwise, why would people oppose Jesus in verse 43? So, the “all” in verse 45 cannot be everyone on earth; otherwise, why would people oppose Jesus in verse 43? Everybody who is drawn by God graduates with a saving relationship with Jesus.6
There are no school dropouts in God’s high school. Because of the success pictured at the end of verse 45, Jesus is picturing here successful teaching. He says God breaks through successfully to get His children to listen to Him.
1.5 Share the Gospel with Everyone
Let’s seek to clear up one question that may pop up in your mind. Maybe you’re thinking, “So how do I know who God is drawing? Do I only share the gospel with some people?” A thousand times no. God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ is a universal offer. So, as a gospel-telling witness for Jesus, I offer His forgiveness to any and all. As a disciple of Jesus, I offer eternal life to anyone and everyone. I don’t know who the Spirit of God is drawing.
John drives this home again and again, lest we miss it.
“Whoever believes in him will have eternal life” (John 3:15).
“Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned” (John 3:18).
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36).
“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life” (John 5:24).
“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
“Whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).
God wants all to hear the good news of Jesus. He wants people in Bangladesh, Havana, Tehran, Ecuador, and America to hear about the saving message of Jesus and His cross. And yet, in some mysterious way, Jesus tells us that God draws some.
1. You Don’t Come to Me, I Come to You
2. You Don’t Judge Me, I Judge You
“They said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ (John 6:42,52).
There will be a number of people who don’t like this about Jesus.
2.1 “Do You Like to Be in Control?”
Perhaps you’d rather be in control of whether you believe in God. Let me ask you a question, “Do you like to be in control?” Maybe you say, “I’m not sure.” “Do you always have to drive when you go anywhere?” For the married people in the room, when your spouse drives, are you pleasant to be around?” Again, this is a heavy teaching Jesus is giving us here. Many didn’t like it then, and many don’t like what Jesus is saying to this day. What do I do with Jesus’ words here?
2.2 Grumbling
The people grumbled against Jesus. Both verses 42 and 52 are disparaging Jesus. They are putting Him down. It’s not just that they didn’t understand how His claims were true. It’s that they didn’t want His claims to be true.
2.3 Hippies Visiting the Louvre
There’s a story of a group of traveling hippies in the 60s who were traveling throughout Europe. One day, they were visiting the Louvre in Paris, one of the great museums in the world. As they were going by painting after painting and seeing Rembrandts and Van Goghs and Monets, and so forth, they were making disparaging, sneering, condescending comments. One of the assistant curators of the museum heard these ignorant travelers making their cheap remarks before masterpieces. So, he eventually came up behind them and said in his broken English, “Gentlemen, in this museum, it is not the paintings that are being tested.”7 When we confront the claims of Jesus, it is not Jesus who is finally being tested.
2.4 He Judges You
Ultimately, it’s Jesus who judges you. You may weigh the evidence of His credentials as a skeptic. You may debate whether He rose from the dead. But in the end, it’s Jesus who is the ultimate Judge of you. In the end, it’s Jesus who is the ultimate Judge of all of us.
Jesus tells you His resume, or His credentials. If Jesus were being interviewed for a job, and the employer asked Him, “What makes you stand out from all the other applicants?” Jesus says He alone has seen the Father in verse 46. Then, He adds, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die” (John 6:48-50). The people grumble at Jesus, but ultimately, the problem isn’t with Jesus.
2.5 The Beauty of Jesus
If you see a bunch of rednecks laughing at the Mona Lisa, where you hear them say, “I’d rather see a painting of dogs playing poker,” you understand what’s going on. Jesus says to these Jews, “The Mona Lisa is in front of you, and you grumble because you want dogs playing poker.” Jesus is more beauty in front of you than a painting at the Louvre.
2.6 The Spirit Draws, Not Drives
The Spirit is present right here and now, calling and drawing you. Jesus is behind the wheel of your life. He draws you to belief. He doesn’t drive you, and He doesn’t pound you into submission. He lovingly guides you, draws you, and even drags you to a better life. God is so patient with you. Again, He is the potter, and you are the clay.
2.7 Your Reaction
Bow your heads and bend your knee to the One who is the Bread of Life. Ask the Lord to have mercy on you. Ask Him to open your eyes to teach you. Pray for friends, family members, classmates, and coworkers to be drawn to Jesus. Thank Him for His amazing grace in your life.
1. You Don’t Come to Me, I Come to You
2. You Don’t Judge Me, I Judge You
3. You Don’t Call Me, I Call You
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44, 54).
How Does This Impact Me?
3.1 Comparison of Verses 44, 54, and 40
Look at the comparison of verses 44 and 54. Jesus says, “I will raise him up on the last day,” those who feed “on my flesh and drinks my blood” in verse 54. Then, in verse 44, Jesus says, “And I will raise him up on the last day.” He raises up those who are drawn to by the Father. So, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” is the same thing as “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Both are raised up on the last day. Plus, you can add verse 40, where Jesus says it a different way: “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40). “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life” in verse 40 is the same thing as “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” in verse 54. And, “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life” in verse 40 is the same thing as “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” in verse 44.
Jesus says the same thing 3 different ways:
If you want to be raised up on the last day, then the Father must draw you.
If you want to be raised up on the last day, then you must eat His flesh and drink His blood.
If you want to be raised up on the last day, then you must look on the Son and believe in Him.
3.2 How Does This Impact Me?
Again, we are asking, How Does This Impact Me? Let me speak to the believer first and then to the non-believer. It’s not that people are driven to Jesus by arguments. Instead, they are drawn by prayer, patience, and the gospel. Jesus says it is God who draws you.
Rejoice with me that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). And rejoice with me that “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).
3.3 The Believer
If Jesus is correct here, then praying for the Spirit to draw friends, family, classmates, teammates, and coworkers really matters. You will argue about 1,000 things in this life: inheritance, money, sports, and Mac vs. PC. Almost none of this matters. But this matters. To be raised to eternal life eternally matters.
3.4 Jesus Isn’t an ATM
Perhaps you’re here this morning, and you say, “I’m not sure I’m a Christian. I’m here. I’m interested. To tell you the truth, my parents dragged me here today. Here I am.”
Most people think of Jesus like an ATM that’s always open – 24/7/365.8 I don’t have to run down to the bank just before it closes now. I can get my money out at any time. Likewise, many may think, “I can receive forgiveness anytime I want it.” You go there, punch in your numbers, and expect Him to do exactly what you want Him to do. But what if Jesus isn’t your personal ATM? “If you are thinking, anytime I want God, He’ll be there.” “Anytime I want to decide to follow Him, He’ll be there like an ATM where I can simply punch the keys and out comes money.”
But if you are sensing an interest in following Jesus right here and now, it means the Father is drawing you. If you are sensing a spiritual interest in following Jesus, it means the Father is working on you.
3.5 A Job Interview
I’m still speaking to the non-believer now.
One of my children had a job interview this week, and we talked about it afterward. I asked him how he left the interview. “Did they say they would call you?”
Most of you who have experienced a serious job interview know that the employer makes contact if they are interested. Like an employer, after an interview, Jesus calls you.
When you experience a spiritual interest in Jesus, Jesus is calling you. He’s drawing you. The Spirit of God is teaching you. He’s turning on a light inside of you. He illuminates the Bible to make it real to you. If you treat Jesus like He’s an ATM that is always around, you’re ignoring the vital aspect that the Holy Spirit is working on you right here and right now. Your spiritual interest in Jesus isn’t because of your intellectual enlightenment. Your spiritual interest in Jesus isn’t because of your goodness. God is working in you, my friend. Seize the day by placing your faith in Christ.
EndNotes
1 George R. Beasley-Murray, John, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1999), 20.
2 Andreas J. Köstenberger, John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), 213.
3 Frederick Dale Bruner, The Gospel of John: A Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Eerdmans, 2012), 417.
4 Murray J. Harris, John, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. (B&H Academic, 2015), 137.
5 Clarence Thomas, My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir (New York: HarperCollins, 2007), 51.
6 John Piper, “They Will All be Taught of God,” Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014). (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2014).
7 D. A. Carson, “The Open God Versus the Bread of God,” D. A. Carson Sermon Library. (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016).
8 Timothy J. Keller, “Arguing about Predestination,” The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).
