At the end of chapter 6 of John’s gospel, these are the words of Jesus, “Do you take offense at this?”
The “this” Jesus is referring to is his preached message (vv. 26-58). In this lengthy message Jesus claims two things that only belong to God: divinity and the sole ability to save.
Offensively, Jesus declares before his Jewish audience that he is the true “bread of life,” drawing a parallel between Himself and the miracle bread (manna) that fed their fathers in the wilderness during the exodus. (John 6:35; Exodus 6). Jesus is telling them that not only is He divine, He is furthermore the one to whom the bread was intended to point. Meaning, although the manna saved the Jewish people from starvation in the wilderness, it was not simply a miraculous meal. It was a message of salvation (John 6:58). It was pedagogical—a teaching miracle of the Messiah to come. The bread was but a foreshadow. Jesus is the fulfillment.
He is the Messiah, the chosen One of the Father, the sole giver of life (John 6:40). In other words, Jesus is the only way to be saved. So how does Jesus tell us that we may be saved?
By believing what Jesus says about Himself, that He is God, sent from the Father to save the world. He and He alone can do this (v.29, 40, 47).
Are you offended? It’s offensive. We are not neutral actors, here. Nor are we blank slates, capable of good or bad. Mr. William Ernest Henley is incorrect. We are not the “masters of [our] fates.” The cross is both a demonstration of God’s love and our hopeless state.
The cross of Jesus is an offensive testament to our depravity. We are sinners—sinners against God, no matter how much “good” we have done with our lives. We are guilty. And, as such, our sin deserves punishment. But the love of God interceded on our behalf.
God sent his Son Jesus to be our substitute. This is the offensive message of this chapter: Jesus’ body will be broken for our sake (Is 53:5ff). And in Him, we who are dead in our trespasses (Eph 2:5) will find life in His blood (Lev 17:11,14).
Are you still offended? Will you remain offended or will you relent from your self-righteousness (what we are all born with in sin) and be blessed (Matt 11:6)?
Jesus says do not stay there but “come” (Matt 11:28). For all that come will never be cast out (John 6:37). Jesus keeps all those who come to Him, for those who come are His beloved, no matter what has happened or what will happen. He guards them with His life (John 10:12-16).
Do you want to know this love? Do you want to know God as Savior, Lord, and friend? Trust in Jesus and His work on the cross for forgiveness of your sin. Trust in Him and his resurrection from the dead for eternal life. Trust in Him and Him alone, and you will.
If you have any questions at all, email me. Until next week, God bless.
