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chapter of John how this figure of Father and Son was carried to reality. The Lord Jesus
Christ was the perfect and obedient Son to the Father throughout His ministry to the last
moments on the cross, when he could say of His Father's work for Him: "It is finished".
As we look over this chapter we think of those words which occurs towards the end of
this Gospel:
". . . . . these are written (the selected signs and words), that ye might believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His
Name" (John 20: 31).
In the chapter before us we have life and eternal life repeated again and again:
". . . the Bread of God . . . . . giveth life unto the world" (6: 33).
". . . the Father's will . . . . . that I should raise it (the believer) up again at the last day" (39).
". . . every one . . . . . that believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise
him up at the last day" (40).
". . . I will raise him up at the last day" (44).
". . . he that believeth on Me has everlasting life" (47).
". . . if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever" (51a)
". . . My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (51b).
"whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up
at the last day" (54).
". . . he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever" (58).
Only when we extract such a feature and list the occurrences do we realize how
important it is considered by the Holy Spirit. The whole work of Christ is directed to this
end--that we might have eternal life. We might take serious thought to the solemn result
to those who willfully refuse this most wonderful gift.
The Bible's history of Israel's response to God has many similarities to that made by
mankind in general today. Consider Israel's dreadful reaction to God manifesting
Himself to the representatives of that nation and His glory to all that people.
"Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of
Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a
paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness"
(Exod. 24: 9, 10).
The nation's leaders had seen this amazing appearance and yet after only forty days
absence by Moses in attendance on God this incredible people pressed Aaron to make
them gods: ". . . . . for as for this Moses . . . . . we wot not what has become of him"
(Exod. 32: 1).
Christ appeared again to Israel two thousand years ago, this time in human flesh and
the twelve apostles have witnessed to us His life and resurrection, yet is there not a
similar careless response by the world today to this precious Gift of God? Only the man
lost and dying of hunger and thirst learns the true value of bread and water that he has
lightly regarded under easy circumstances. May we who are blessed be primed and