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From Heaven With Love
received physical strength from the bread He had given them the
day before, so from Christ they might receive spiritual strength unto
eternal life. “He that cometh to Me,” He said, “shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” But he added, “Ye
also have seen Me, and believe not.”
They had seen Christ by the witness of the Holy Spirit, by the
revelation of God to their souls. 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 ever
find excuse for doubt, and will reason away the most positive proof.
Again Christ appealed to those stubborn hearts: “Him that
cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.” All who received Him
in faith, He said, should have eternal life. No longer need men
mourn in hopeless grief over their dead. “This is the will of Him
that sent Me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on
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
saith, I came down from heaven?” Referring scornfully to the lowly
origin of Jesus, they contemptuously alluded to His family as being
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poor and lowly. The claims of this uneducated carpenter, they said,
were unworthy of their attention. On account 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 made no answer to the questions concerning 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 had its root in the perversity of
their hearts. Every word and act of Jesus aroused antagonism in
them; for the spirit they cherished could find in Him no answering
chord.
“No one can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent
Me draw him... . It is written in the prophets, And they shall be
all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath
learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.” None will ever come to
Christ, save those who respond to the drawing of the Father’s love.