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Crisis in Galilee
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had received physical strength from the bread He had given them the
day before, so they could receive spiritual strength from Christ for
eternal life. “He who comes to Me,” He said, “shall never hunger,
and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” But he added, “You
have seen Me and yet do not believe.”
They had seen Christ by the witness of the Holy Spirit, by the
revelation of God to their hearts. The living evidences of His power
had been before them day after day, yet they asked for still another
sign. If they were not convinced by what they had seen and heard,
it was useless to show them more marvelous works. Unbelief will
always find excuse for doubt and will explain away the most positive
proof.
Again Christ appealed to those stubborn hearts: “The one who
comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” All who received Him in
faith, He said, would have eternal life. No longer did people need
to mourn in hopeless grief over their dead. “This is the will of Him
who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him
may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
But the leaders were offended. “Is not this Jesus, the son of
Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He
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says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Referring scornfully to
Jesus’ lowly origin, with contempt they alluded to His family as
being poor and lowly. The claims of this uneducated Carpenter, they
said, were unworthy of their attention. Because of His mysterious
birth, they insinuated that He was of doubtful parentage.
Jesus did not attempt to explain the mystery of His birth, as He
had given no answer to the questions about His crossing the sea.
Voluntarily He had made Himself of no reputation and taken the
form of a servant. But His words and works revealed His character.
The prejudice of the Pharisees grew out of the stubbornness of
their hearts. Every word and act of Jesus made them angry, for the
spirit they cherished could find no answering chord in Him.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws
him. ... It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught
by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the
Father comes to Me.” None will ever come to Christ except those
who respond to the drawing of the Father’s love. But God is drawing
all hearts to Him, and only those who resist His drawing will refuse