The divergence between the thoughts of Jesus and those of the Jews.
A rupture was clearly at hand. The people had hopes of merely material blessing.
I. THE JEWS ASK FOR THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. "Lord, evermore give us this bread."
1. They ask for a continuous supply of it.
2. Their demand betrays a carnal spirit, that speaks of either sensual want, or covetousness, or the spirit of idleness; for no more labour would be expended upon the production of food.
II. JESUS REVEALS HIMSELF PLAINLY AS THE BREAD OF LIFE. "I am the Bread of life."
1. He represents himself as the Sustainer of the life he communicates; for he is that "Eternal Life which was in the beginning with the Father" (1 John 1:2). He thus presents the objective side of salvation.
2. Faith is the condition of its reception. "He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
3. This Bread will bring the full satisfaction of all wants. The receptive spirit will have no desire for any other food than Christ. It will have
III. JESUS PLAINLY DECLARES THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS. "But I said unto you, Ye have seen me, and yet ye believe not."
1. They had asked to see, and their desire had been fully gratified.
2. Yet they refused to believe in him. An impression exists that if men could see Christ they should all surely believe in him. The Jews saw him from day to day, witnessed his miracles, heard his words, and yet were none the better for that immediate experience. We enjoy the higher blessing. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
IV. YET JESUS DECLARES THE ULTIMATE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF HIS FATHER'S WILL, IN THE FACE OF JEWISH UNBELIEF. "All that the Father giveth me shall reach me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
1. He declares the Divine purpose, in virtue of which "all that the Father giveth"—his seed, his spouse, his Church, his inheritance—shall be everlastingly saved. They will surely reach the Saviour.
2. He declares at once the subjective side of this salvation, and his attitude as a Redeemer toward those who come to him as their Refuge. He will in no wise cast them out of
3. The security for the salvation of all who come to him. "For this is the will of him that sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day."
(a) the delivery of his people from destruction;
(b) their restoration into the transfigured manhood of the resurrection.
4. The further confirmation of this security. "For this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sooth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." The previous verse presented the objective, this verse presents the subjective, side of this blessed truth.