The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 417

Ver. 27 .-Fruitless and fruiiful toil. Our Lord's miracles did not end in themselves. Out of them there often grew interviews, conversations, and discourses of the greatest interest and profit. Such was the case with the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. The provision made for their bodily wants prompted the people to resort in numbers to the Prophet of Nazareth. .And thus our Lord had the opportunity, which he did not fail to use, of presenting to the multitudes, upon the suggestion of the miracle be bad wrought, lessons, reflections, expostulations, and appeals of vast and lasting value. Especially did he put in a true light the relative claims of the body and the soul upon the attention and the endeavours of mankind. I. AN ERROR REBUKED; i.e. the very common habit of living and working merely for the sake of the supply of bodily wants. Our Lord's words have sometimes been misunderstood.. He could not have intended to reprove poor men for labouring hard in order to secure an honest living for them.selves and their families. What was it., then, which be so gravely reprehended? It must have been the concentration of all human interest and effort upon the existence and comfort of the body, upon the securing an abundance of material good, upon the attainment of opulence and the enjoyment of luxury. Such a course of life may be termed an idolatry of the body and of this passing earthly life. How many there are who pursue with all the energy of their nature the so-called "good things of this life," forgetful that these things are destined to perish and to pass away! 'l'o such the ancient admonition of the prophet is applicable, " Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?" II. .AN EFFORT ENJOINED; i.e. the earnest endeavour to obtain spiritual provision. I. Our Lord here gives a very striking and just representation of himself. He is "the Bread of life." Knowledge of him, fellowship with him, feed, nourish, strengthen, and cheer the soul. To know his truth, to feel bis love, to do his will,-tbis is an aim in life worthy of all pursuit, worthy of the nature with which the Creator has endowed us. 2. Our Lord reminds us that "labour "-strenuous and persevering exertion-is necessary in order that we may partake of Christ, and enjoy the advautages of his spiritual fellowship. No mere passive accPptance is sufficient. 'l'be spiritual nature comes to appropriate and enjoy the Divine Saviour, t_hroug~ s_incere and constant eff?rt, through the study of his character, through growth mto his likeness, through devotion to his cause. III. A MOTIVE PflESENTED ; i.e. the assurance that this spiritual :.,rovision abideth cu. v1. 1-71.) 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 28G