John 6:29 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
Our Verse of the Day provides a concise answer to the most basic theological question a human could ask: “What does the God of Creation want from His creations (humans)?” Well, here is the answer: “To believe in the One He has sent!” Asked another way: “What is the plan (purpose or work) of God for His people?” Answer: “To believe in His Son … the One who fully reveals the Father to humankind.” His name is Jesus! Indeed, this is a first and foremost imperative for us to settle in our minds and hearts! Everything else in our lives … all the soul searching … all other reasons for living … all the knowledge and understanding we need to respond to God … stem from this one directive for us to follow. Why? Because EVERYTHING that God does in your life and mine is centered on leading us to believe in Him through faith in Christ Jesus! Before we examine the text for our verse, I want us to look at the following scripture to impress upon us why God has purposed for us to believe in His Son:
Hebrews 1:1-9 (NIV)
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? (Citing Psalm 2:7) Or again, “I will be his Father, and He will be my Son”? (Citing 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13) 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” (Citing Deuteronomy 32:43-See Footnote) 7 In speaking of the angels He says, “He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire.” (Citing Psalm 104:4) 8 But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (Citing Psalm 45:6-7 – See Footnote)
Here we find our inspired writer crafts a theological framework by which he articulates the person, position, and preeminence of Jesus, the Son of God. I think this is important for us to note the Old Testament foundations upon which we can readily identify the Son … the One the Father has sent and ordained for us to believe in! To be sure, there are countless OT prophecies of the Messiah, but with these prophetic words in view, let us put our Verse of the Day in context to see what Jesus was teaching here:
John 6:22-40 (NIV)
22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except one, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— 23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— 24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
What profound, mysterious words Jesus has used to identify Himself! This is a powerful message for us to meditate on because it brings a greater understanding of what God has designed for us since the beginning. Faith in Jesus, the One that God has sent, is life altering … life giving … life sustaining … life perpetuating. Through Him … through believing in Him … we receive everlasting life! THIS is the work … the will of God the Father for us! Until a person realizes and understands that true life is only available from “the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world,” they will not find the life God has ordained for humans to experience in Him. There is a deeper, richer life we receive in Jesus … one that goes beyond its physical experience and completes our spiritual being.
1After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what He promised us—eternal life.
10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
If you have the time, I encourage you to read John Chapter 6 in its entirety. I think it will challenge you as it challenged the people and the disciples as Jesus spoke to them…. Meditate upon it because Jesus draws upon an Old Testament event (manna in the wilderness) and utilizes its supernatural reality as a spiritual metaphor (bread from heaven) to explain His purpose … His mission … and the ultimate work (will) of God. Indeed, Jesus came to DO the will of the Father who sent Him. And we see God’s work in Him … through a human body … portrayed as bread from heaven to be consumed. It is an incredible concept for us to embrace; and I can relate to the many disciples who questioned: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (Cf. John 6:60) But Jesus responded: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are Spirit and life.” (Cf. John 6:63) And so I pray we will see the application….
Well, there is a lot of theology here for us to digest. (No pun intended) So, I will leave it to Holy Spirit to guide you into the truths to be found. (Cf. John 16:13) I ask God to fill us with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God…. (Cf. Colossians 1:9-10)
So Now You Know 