The Life and Ministry of Jesus
The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:41–44
Our Lord’s statement “For I came down from heaven,” disturbed the religious leaders, for they knew it was a claim of deity. They thought they knew Jesus, who He was and where He came from. Jesus, of course, was the legal son of Joseph but not his natural son, for He was born of a virgin.
The leaders identified Jesus with Nazareth in Galilee, not Bethlehem in Judea; and they thought that Joseph was His natural father. Had they investigated the matter, they would have learned who Jesus really is. Even in the days of Moses, the Jews were known for their murmuring. The main issue was, “Where did He come from?” Five times Jesus used the phrase “came down from heaven,” but they would not accept it. 1
Personal Encouragement
Jesus repeated often what it means to follow Him, to die to self and live for Him. But many in the church will not accept those words of Jesus. Do you murmur and complain, or do you joyfully submit to His teachings about love and obedience?
And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Numbers 14:2
One who has a habit of complaining will never be content about anything.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for the confidence that we have in every Word written in Your Bible.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
