The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 418

unto eternnl life. Enrtbly supplies can only satisfy bodily wants. The need and the provision nro nliko perishnble nnd perishing. But the heavenly Bread is especially provided to feed the immortal soul; and they who eat of it shall never hunger, an<l shnll never die. 'fhe living water springs up unto life eternal, and they who drink of this fountain shall never thirst. 'fo tho disappointed and the distressed such representations should bring comfort and inspiration. 'l'hc witness of our Saviour to himself is worthy of all acceptation. IV. A PROMISE OIVEN; i.e. that the Son of man will surely give, to all those who labour to attnin it, the satisfying and imperishable food of heaven. If we were convinced of the excellence and the attractiveness of the Bread of God, we might still have no belief in its accessibility to man; and in this case they would bo cruel who should dwell upon the advantages of a possession which could never bo appropriated. But the very purpose of Christ's mission to earth, of his teaching and miracles, of bis sufferings and death, was that he might give himself to the hungering heart of humanity. Never does he turn a deaf ear to those who believingly and hnmbly approach him with the entreaty, "Lord, evermore give us this bread."-T. Vers. 28, 29.-The work of God. It is not easy to decide what was the spirit in which the Jews took up the admonition of Jesus, "Work not for the meat that perisbeth," etc., and upon its suggestion urged the question which called forth our Lord's re,ply. Probably they had a very imperfect apprehension of the meaning of the word.~ thay used, when they asked, "What must we do that we may work the works of God?'' yet, as there is no eviilence that at this stage they had ill feeling towards Jesus, it is better to assume that their question was not captious but sincere. I. AN ADMmABLE INQumY. 1. It reveals a noble conception of the higher life of man, which may be justly said to consist in working the work of God. 2. It embodies a worthy aspiration and purpoii!e; for it implies that those who spoke thus believed themselves to be prepared to do whatever needed to be done, in order that by them the work of God might in some measure be accomplished. 3. It is a question which is becoming to all thoughtful students of human life, and to all who desire a law to direct their individual energy. It is too unusual; for whilst there are many, especially amongst the young, who ask-What shall we do to be rich, honoured, powerful, happy? there are few who eagerly inquire how they may work God's work. They who do so in sincerity, with docility, and with the resolution to obey the directions given, are certain to be led aright.. For this question, when urged by ardent natures, excites joy, not only in the minds of Christ's ministers, but in the very heart of Christ himself. II. A MEMORABLE AND DECISIVE nEPLY. 1. It is a seeming paradox. "Why, when the question was, "What shall we do?" should the answer be, "Believe"? An unexpected respon~e I They who look at the matter superficially are wont to say- Never mind what you btlieve, so that you do what is right. But Christ puts faith first. 2. Belief in Christ is obedience, because God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, as the Object of human faith. It is the will of God that men should believe on bis Son. It is the supreme moral probation of every man, when Jesus comes to him and demands his faith. Christ points away from many works to one work. 3. As a matter of fact, belief in Christ is the turning of the soul to righteousness. For this is the means of securing pardon and acceptance, of becoming right with God, and also of securing spiritual strength nnd guidance for the duties of the earthly life. 4. It is a great moral principle, which the gospel takes up and uses for highest ends, that faith underlies doing. A man's inner convictions determine what his habitual works, his moral life, shall be. Such is the relation between faith and works, as taught by both Paul aud James; the one apostle laying stress upon faith, the other upon works, and both plead- ing tho authority of this and other sayings of the great Teacher himself. Believing is the beginning, work is the continuation, of the life; belief is the inner, work is the outer, process; belief is the motive, work the result; belief is the cause, work the effect. 'l'he Divine lifo for man is a work; but it is a work based upon II Divine Person, and it is faith which so bases it, which unites the worker to the livin~ and personal Power.-'!'. Ver. 32.-The true Bread. From any other tha!l Jesus Christ this language would 286 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN, [on. VL 1-71.