John 6:30-33 They said therefore to him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?… I. THE SECONDARY FOR THE PRIMARY (vers. 31, 32). Confounding the instrument with the agent; Moses with Jehovah. 1. The man of science falls into this mistake when he talks about forces and laws otherwise than as expressions of the Divine power and will. 2. The Christian does the same when he ascribes conversion to the eloquence of a preacher instead of to the quickening influence of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6; John 6:63; Ephesians 2:1). 3. Every person similarly errs who forgets that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). II. THE SHADOWY FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL (ver. 33). This tendency followed the Jews all through their career, and there is a like tendency when religion is made a thing of forms and ceremonies. III. THE IMPERSONAL FOR THE PERSONAL (ver. 35). The Jews imagined the bread of life to be a better sort of manna (see John 4:15; the same mistake). Plainly as Christ indicated this bread to be a Person they continued thinking of a thing. So do those who suppose that education, moral culture, social refinement, etc., is the bread of life. IV. THE TRANSIENT FOR THE ETERNAL (ver. 49). 1. The manna was a temporary gift; even when the Israelites ate of it they died. The bread of life on the contrary — (1) Endures into everlasting life (ver. 27), and — (2) Will satisfy every want of the soul.Lessons: 1. The men who err most in life and religion are those who walk by sight and not by faith. 2. Christ is a greater sign than any of His miracles. 3. His best recommendation is the satisfaction He imparts. 4. Men may have a desire after Christ without faith. 5. None who come to Christ in sincerity, will depart from Him in sorrow. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? |
    |