06 November

Bible in 365 Days

John 5-6

John 5

It was at this time that the conflict between Christ and His enemies, which culminated in His Cross began. A miracle wrought on the Sabbath gave rise to this first outbreak. Throughout this chapter we have incidents colored by this conflict. The fist was of the man in Bethesda's porches. In infinite compassion Christ dealt with him and healed him. His enemies objected because the wonder had been performed on the Sabbath; and, in effect, He replied that in the presence of sin and misery God had no Sabbath. He said, "My Father worketh even until now, and I work."

His answer was understood by them as claiming equality with God. It should be carefully observed that He did not deny the accuracy of their deduction, but continued to speak as One who claimed such equality of authority. He declared that the truth of all He was saying was evidenced by His works, and consequently by His Father.

He then rebuked these men for searching the Scriptures and failing to understand them, for had they understood the Scriptures they would have discovered that they led to Him.

John 6

The whole chapter really records things resulting from the conflict recorded in the previous one. Having crossed the sea, Jesus first fed the multitude, and they, enamored of His ability, attempted to take Him by force, and make Him King. This He would not permit. Sending His disciples across the sea He retired to the mountain. Then followed the wonder - recorded also by Matthew and Mark - of His stilling of the storm. Thus it will be seen that He returned to where the conflict had occurred, and immediately, in a discourse, rebuked the people for having been attracted by the wonder in the realm of the material while they neglected the deep spiritual facts of life. Presently they asked Him for a sign. He answered their request by offering Himself to them as bread, the Bread of life.

These men were sense-bound. They did not apprehend His meaning. Continuing, He insisted on the supremacy of the spiritual, as, taking the manna for illustration, He declared, "Your fathers did eat, and died," and, further, "This...a man may eat..and not die."

The Jews were more than ever mystified, and disputed among themselves. Confronted by this difficulty, our Lord went further still, and spoke in mystic language of the necessity for drinking His blood. The figure was suggestive of a way into life through death and sacrifice.

This fuller unfolding perplexed His own disciples, consequent upon which He inquired, Would ye also go away?" It was Peter who made the reply, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Nevertheless, at this point some of His disciples broke with Jesus.