John – Chapter 6:41-51
6:41-42 The Jews grumble at the words of Jesus – Again, the Exodus narrative is in the background. The repeated disgruntled murmuring against God is as constant as the Exodus itself (Ex 15:24; 16:2,7-8, 9, 12; 17:3) and repeated elsewhere (e.g. Num 11:1; 14:2; 16:11; 16:41). There is also a strong parallel to Psalm 106:24-25). Their murmuring reveals their disbelief and even their opposition to what Jesus has just said about Himself. To murmur concerning Jesus, is to put oneself against the Father and His will. To go against God’s will is to lose the eternal life in Jesus that is His will. Jesus is the true manna from heaven, given that the people in the wilderness not perish but live. But this is precisely the will that the “Jews” do not see. 6:44 “Unless the Father shall draw him” – Jesus doesn’t respond directly to the murmuring or speak to the claim of his earthly origins. Neither experience nor their Scriptures are sufficient. Therefore, Jesus refers to a new work of the Father which excludes any and every work or effort which in any way or to any extent lies within our own reach or strength. To “come to Jesus” is not simply faith but also commitment and adherence. In content, it refers to movement away from the synagogue where the Torah is read and expounded to the synagogue of Jesus and the Torah read and expounded through the person and work of Jesus (see Jn 5:24,39-40; 2 Cor 3:6). Jesus is corresponding the “Jews” before Him to unfaithful Israel, who did not listen to the voice of God and so they died. To “draw” also occurs in 12:32, referring to the crucifixion. Israel could only be liberated from bondage in Egypt and shielded from the angel of death by the blood of the lamb and their “washing” through the Red Sea. So, no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him through the death of the Paschal lamb who takes away the sin of the world (1:29). In faith to the Word made flesh lies the true freedom of man. Regarding predestination, Augustine used this verse to claim that it was God’s will that not all be taught. Chrysostom on the other hand refuses to speculate as to why men are not believers. Luther emphasizes with Chrysostom that the Father does not…