Thoughts on the Gospel of John (33) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray him. And he said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.
John 6:63-65.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (33)
"This is a hard saying!" was the complaint of the people who had first been attracted to Jesus, because His miracles impressed them. However, the Lord pointed out the divine origin of His words: They are "spirit and they are life".

This is a terse sentence, yet pregnant with meaning. By "spirit" the Holy Spirit is meant. The sayings of Jesus are thus inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Jewish listeners should not have been surprised by that, for they surely knew the prophecy relating to the Messiah: "Behold, my servant, my elect one. I have put my Spirit upon him" (Isaiah 42:1).

The sayings of Jesus are, moreover, life. Moses had said with reference to the law of Sinai: "It is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life" (Deuteronomy 32:47). Today, similarly, every believer experiences that the Son of God's sayings give life. They are not hard words, but rather words with great effect. It is people's hearts that are hard, for they refuse to believe.

Without faith none can follow Jesus. The more we know and love Him, the more we sense that His words are balm for the soul and by no means offensive.

Believers are very privileged, but have no reason to be proud as a result. Even though they belong to Jesus, none would have come to Him, if our heavenly Father had not drawn him (cf. v. 44). It is pure grace.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Esther 9:11-22 · Proverbs 21:21-31