3/27 Through the Bible in Devotions

John 6

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (v. 27)

The command here is to the general multitudes, and not for the disciples only. This is significant in that it sets priorities for us all, and not just the pastors and “full time workers” as we call them. It looks as if the multitudes are to work the work of God, and not labor so much for the things of this world. This means you and I also, my friends. I am reminded of the verse in 1 Timothy 4:8: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” We spend far too much time in “bodily exercise” and not nearly enough in “godly exercise”. Our labors are for that which perishes, and the eternal, an incorruptible are put in the background of our lives. This eternal “meat” can only be given by the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. By the way, let me say here that that the works of God, in a nutshell, are that we believe on Him whom the Father has sent (v. 29) This is the totality of the “work of God” that we must do. But let me continue to emphasize that the words spoken here were to “The people” as they sought to question Jesus, and to see some more miracles. Even they were told to spend their time doing the work of the Lord instead of the things of this world. The call is a general call, and for everyone.

Jesus had meat they knew not of, that which His Father had fed Him with from the bountiful blessings of Heaven. He needed not the bread of man, because He is the Bread of God. Our “meat” then ought to be the feasting of the Word of God, and the delicacies of His table. Of course we must nourish our bodies with food, but we ought, all the more, to nourish our souls with His Word. Jesus had “meat” they knew not of, as yet, but would soon learn to feast from the same table as our Lord. The focus in on the spirit, and not only on the flesh. It is hard for us in this world, when our eyes behold so much, to focus on the unseen, the spiritual, as opposed to the flesh and tangible, but we can do so when we are open to the things of the Spirit of God. By His grace, God allows us to do so.

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