John 6:60-65

Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 6:60-65

1. We learn that some of Christ’s sayings seem hard to flesh and blood.
2. We learn that we must beware of putting a worldly meaning on spiritual words.
3. We learn that Christ has a perfect knowledge of the hearts of men and women.

"If we find any of Christ’s sayings hard to understand, we should humbly remember our present ignorance and believe that we shall know more eventually. If we find any of His sayings difficult to obey, we should humbly recollect that He will never require of us impossibilities and that what He bids us do, He will give us grace to perform."

"It is not so much by noisy public demonstrations as by the still quiet work of the Holy Spirit on hearts that God’s cause prospers."

"Whatever we are as Christians and however weak, let us be real, true and sincere."

Questions:

1. These verses highlight the hardness of the human heart to believe what Christ says, which, as Ryle points out, should not surprise us. The question for us, though, is do we have and pray for humble hearts to receive what Christ has said?
2. Ryle admits that this passage has difficulties but highlights three clear means. First, it is not physical acts but the Holy Spirit that gives life. That doesn't mean we should care about baptism and the Lord's Supper, but they are useless part from faith. Second, the flesh profits nothing, that is, the biblical understanding of heart is not material but spiritual, and needs spiritual food. And third, Christ's Words, and believing them, are the means by which the Spirit gives life. Do we believe these things to be true?
3. We learn the great truth that Jesus knows all things. What wonder this instills in us that Jesus knew his humiliation and sacrifice and yet pressed on for the joy that was set before Him! What fear this should instill in unbelievers that nothing is hidden before His eyes; what cause to repent and turn from sins He knows perfectly! And what comfort to know that God knows the hearts of all Christians, and that, even when misunderstood by the world, God knows and will bring comfort. How does this great truth hit us today?