John 6:36-50
But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.” The Jews murmured about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring* among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.
Grace Prayed For
Sharing the Gift of Eternal Life: Pray for the grace to share the good news of eternal life with others, to invite them to encounter Jesus and experience the fullness of His love. May we become instruments of His grace and mercy in the world.
The Invitation to Eternal Life: A Journey of Faith and Surrender
In John’s Gospel, we witness a poignant dialogue between Jesus and those who struggle to believe in Him. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they question His divine origin and murmur against Him.
Jesus responds with a powerful message of grace and invitation. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,” He declares. This reminds us that faith is not merely a human effort, but a divine gift, a drawing from the Father that leads us to the Son.
This passage invites us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Have we been drawn to Jesus by the Father? Have we responded to His invitation to believe and receive eternal life?
Jesus’ words also highlight the importance of listening and learning from the Father. “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me,” He says. This calls us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, to seek understanding through prayer, and to be attentive to the Father’s voice in our lives.
The passage also emphasizes the reality of eternal life offered through faith in Jesus. “Whoever believes has eternal life,” He proclaims. This promise is not just a future hope, but a present reality for those who trust in Him.
Furthermore, Jesus contrasts Himself with the manna in the desert. While the manna provided temporary sustenance, Jesus offers the bread of life that leads to eternal life. This challenges us to shift our focus from earthly pursuits to the lasting nourishment found in Christ.
As we reflect on this passage, may we be open to the Father’s drawing, may we listen attentively to His voice, and may we embrace the gift of eternal life offered through faith in Jesus, the bread of life.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Recognizing the Divine Initiative: Jesus emphasizes that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them. This reminds us that our relationship with Jesus is not solely our own doing. It begins with God’s loving invitation and initiative. Reflecting on this can foster a sense of humility and gratitude, as we recognize that our intimacy with Jesus is a gift freely given by the Father.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post