John 6:26-27 Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles… I. CHRIST WAS SEALED. To seal, when the act of a sovereign, is to impress the characters of his own signet upon any instrument by which his will is declared, and which is then treated as proceeding from him. We behold — 1. The impress of Divinity upon His doctrine, in the vastness of the subjects, and the ease with which they are treated, the obscure manner in which the wisest of men have always spoken of them, and the light which brightens around them whenever our great Teacher opens His lips; in that exhibition of the secrets of the heart; in the anxious inquiries so answered as to leave us nothing more to ask; when to these I add the dignity so worthy of Divine majesty, the condescension so accordant with an infinite love, the indignation so expressive of perfect holiness; — I see upon the seal the characters peculiar to God. 2. The seal of miracles. The character of a true miracle is not that it is merely a strange and wonderful occurrence, but that i¢ is above all human power; so extraordinary as to show an interposition of God, giving sanction to the claims of His Son. 3. We see upon our Lord the broad and striking seal of fulfilled prophecy. 4. The seals at His crucifixion. Even his enemies were compelled to give their testimony to him. Caiaphas, Pilate, the Centurion, the people that "smote upon their breasts." The sun sinking to deep eclipse, the rending of the veil, the earthquake, the rising of the dead. 5. To the great seals of the resurrection and ascension of Christ the gift of the Holy Ghost was the public confirmation of both; and that this is an evidence which remains to this day. II. THE GREAT END FOR WHICH THIS INTERPOSITION OF GOD TOOK PLACE — that we might "labour for that meat which endureth to everlasting life." From the sacrificial death of Christ flows — 1. Pardon; and here the true life of the soul begins. 2. The heavenly knowledge, which is the proper food of the renewed mind. A scientific knowledge is the food of souls intelligent, so is heavenly knowledge the food of piety. It leads up all the powers of the mind into right and vigorous exercise. 3. Love. It flows only from this — "Christ loved me." 4. Purity. Sin enfeebles; purity is strength.Conclusion: 1. If Christ is not this life and bread to your souls, how disproportionate are the means employed to save you, and the end which has in reality been accomplished I 2. The aggravated guilt which is incurred by the very signs set before us, unless they accomplish their saving end. 3. For whatever you labour beside the bread of heaven, it is" meat that perisheth." (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. |
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