Delighted that God Draws People to Christ

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." - Jesus

The profoundly deep, and controversial statement made by Jesus moves me...again today.  I spent much time mulling it over, studying it, reflecting, talking about it, and listening to what others have had to say about it.  I ultimately find great interest in learning just how it is the Father is drawing people to Jesus because I am crazy enough to believe we are participate in such.  If you have any understanding of the Great Commission you must conclude the same, and so you too should be in pursuit of answer to this question: How is the Father drawing people to Jesus?

The quote mentioned is from John 6.  A little context might help so here goes.  To open the chapter John points out that a "large crowd" was following Jesus because "they saw the signs he was doing on the sick" (v. 2).  We find out this crowd consisted of about 5,000 men (not to mention women and children present).  This is a massive following.  Yet as the day ends we find Jesus has removed Himself from these people.  They want to make Him king, but on their terms.  Jesus has no part of it and escapes from them.  

The next day there is a still a sizable group, enough such that John calls them "the crowd that remained" (v. 22).  Quickly we find what is at the heart of their pursuit of Jesus: they want more bread to eat.  But Jesus will have no part of the matter.  Not that He couldn't just as soon make more bread for them and anyone else for that matter.  It is that He instead wishes to convey matters that are far more important, spiritual matters, eternal matters, not just the petty issue of what to eat for lunch to take away the stomach aches of those around Him.  

There is something interesting about these groups of people needs to be noted.  Nowhere is it mentioned that they believed in Jesus.  Don't be deceived, the use of words like "following", or "seeking" Jesus looks so much and sounds so much like belief, but the context lets us know they didn't believe in Jesus.  And the drawing God is doing is such that people will believe in Jesus (see v. 35 of Jesus' use of the words "come" and "believe").  So apparently, God isn't using signs to draw people, nor is He using a welfare program.  Footnote: how pathetic are our efforts to attract people through better music, better programs, better buildings?  After all, Jesus put on an infinitely more amazing show, fed a far better meal, and still these people didn't believe.

As this story continues and Jesus continues talking and teaching about the need for Him, the true bread, sent from heaven, people begin to "grumble" (v. 41).  His words are offensive.  It gets worse though. He continues by telling them they to have eternal life they will ultimately need to "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood" (v. 53).  Those listening were so appalled at these words that you get the sense they departed.  No longer are we dealing with a large crowd, or even a crowd, but presumably a small group of Jews in the synagogue (vv. 41, 52, 59).  And the more Jesus talks the more people leave.  

Then a few verses later (v. 60) many of his own "disciples" were notably bothered by His words.  They began "grumbling" about the matters of which Jesus spoke.  Soon thereafter these who previously considered themselves "disciples" of His, who learned from His teachings "turned back and no longer walked with Him" (v. 66).  You might conclude that if only Jesus stopped talking He might salvage a few people.  And it might appear that it isn't the words of Jesus through which God is drawing people to believe.  I mean we saw over 5,000 when He was performing signs, and a modest crowd seeking bread, and at least a group of Jews, alongside a group of disciples, but as Jesus taught they all left.  Then looking at the 12 (seemingly all who remained) Jesus said, "Do you want to go away as well?" (v. 67).  To this Simon Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God" (vv. 68-69).  

So it was that the very thing that repulsed the rest of the people, the very reason for which those others couldn't remain near Jesus, was indeed the very thing upon which Peter says his faith is grounded.  It is the Word of Christ, these words of eternal life.  The point is not that everyone who hears the Word will believe, however it is every bit true that nobody will believe if they don't hear the Word.  (I will pick up part 2 of this soon to show a bit further what Jesus lays out concerning this reality of why some believe and others don't)

So speak the Word of Christ.  I want to plant this glorious gospel believing fully that God has people He is going to draw to Christ through it.  Why wouldn't I partner in this?  Why wouldn't I take the joyful responsibility to do that and join Him in what He delights to do to draw people to Himself?  You and I better believe the claims we make of Christ, that Scripture first make, are every bit controversial, but they too are every bit powerful, and sufficient for eternal life.  God is drawing people to Christ, through THE WORD of CHRIST.  Make this glorious gospel known, and rejoice greatly in Him.