John 6:34-40: a reflection

34They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe. 37All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

When the crowd asks for bread, Jesus answers with one of his great declarations: I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. He offers not merely to give bread but to be the bread, the very sustenance of the soul. The deepest hunger of the human heart, for meaning, for God, for life that lasts, is satisfied not by a thing he gives but by himself.

Then Jesus speaks words of profound assurance. All that the Father gives me will come to me, he says, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. There is no one who comes to Jesus in faith whom he will turn away, ever. And he goes further: it is the Father's will that of all he has given the Son, he should lose none, but raise them up at the last day. The security of those who come to Christ rests not on their own grip but on the Father's will and the Son's promise.

Let these words settle your heart. If you have come to Jesus, or come to him now, hear his promise: I will never cast you out. Not for your weakness, your failures, your doubts, will he turn you away. And your final destiny is secure, for it is the Father's will that Christ lose none of his own but raise them up at the last day. Come to the bread of life for the hunger of your soul, and rest in the One who has promised never to cast out those who come to him.

Lord Jesus, you are the bread of life, and you promise that whoever comes to you, you will never cast out. When I doubt whether I am welcome, or fear my weakness will make you turn me away, remind me of your promise. I come to you for the hunger of my soul. Hold me secure by the Father's will that you lose none of your own, and raise me up at the last day. Amen.