John 6:38–40

Christ confirmes this promise, of entertaining them who come to him, by shewing the end of his Incarnation and coming into the world, and by rehearsing a part of his Commission unto them. He declareth in general, verse 38. that his errand into the world, is, to do his Fathers will who sent him, and not his own. Which is not to be understood that, as God, he hath a different and contrary will to the Fathers, (though as man, he hath a distinct and subordinate will to his) but the meaning is, he came not to do his own will onely (as the Jewes alleadged of him) but the Fathers also, and that in this work, he was the Fathers Commissioner, sent to do what he had entrusted to him, and not, as the Jewes gave out, one who did that for which he had no warrant. Next, he declareth more particularly (verse 39.) for confirmation of the promise, what this will of the Fathers is which he came to do; to wit, That these, that are given him, should be preserved from perishing, and be raised up at the last day. This is again repeated, verse 40. not onely for further certainty and comfort, but in the repetition, it is explained who they are that are given to him, even such as see and beleeve in him; and what is the benefit they shall reap at the resurrection, even everlasting life.

From verse 38. Learn, 1. Christ, in entertaining them that come to him, is not onely led thereunto by his own mercy and bounty, and love toward them as the reward of all his sufferings; but doth also stand obliged thereunto, by vertue of a Commission and trust laid upon him by the Father, and accepted and undertaken by him; Therefore doth he mention the will of him that sent me, as a reason of his fidelity in this matter. 2. Christ hath given an ample proofe of his love, and pledge of his fidelity in his trust, in his stooping to take on our nature, and assuming it in a personal union to himself, on earth; for, saith he, I came down from heaven, of which, see verse 33. And this he mentions here, not onely to shew how much it cost him to exalt us; But to be a confirmation, and pledge of his tendernesse, and fidelity, in welcoming sinners who come to him. For who can suspect him who made himself like his brethren, (yet without sinne) that he might be a fit High Priest? and to assure us that as he stooped to our low condition, and to be humbled with us, so he would have us exalted with him. What assurance may it afford us, that he would come down from heaven, to dwell with us? that the beloved Sonne would make himself the But of all the wrath due to our sinnes? that the sovereign Lord of the creatures would endure their opposition and enmity, that they might be friends to us? and, that he took on the form and condition of a servant, and continued so, till he had perfected what concerned us? 3. Such as are employed in any station by God, ought to have a constant look to the will of God, and the end set before them in that station, that so they may aime at it; for, so doth Christs example teach, who looked to the will of him that sent him, that he might do it. It is as sure that Christ will warmly cherish them that come to him, as it is certaine he is faithful in his trust; for, such is the force of the confirmation, I will in no wise cast him out, for I came, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. If he do his Fathers will, as he still doth, then such shall not be cast out. 5. The Fathers will and good pleasure is the last and ultimate ground, that faith can seek to settle it self upon; And particularly, it is sufficient to answer all our reasonings against Christs rich offers, that it is the Fathers will such mercies should be conferred; for, so is also imported here, that they have not onely Christs fidelity engaged to make them welcome, but it is the Fathers will they should be accepted so, and that may silence all doubtings.

From verse 39. Learn, 1. It doth commend the Gospel to us, that it contains an Extract of the deep counsels of God, and of the eternal transactions betwixt the Father and the Sonne, concerning, 1. Lost man, in so farre as is for our good; for, he brings out and reads, in the Gospel, his very Commission, and some Articles of the Covenant past betwixt the Father and him. 2. The first fountain and rise of the salvation of any of lost mankind; is in the absolute and sovereign will and pleasure of God; for, here he mentions the will of him that sent him, as the first Original of all, from whence their giving to Christ, their coming, and safety do flow. 3. These whose salvation the Father willeth, are given over to Christ in his eternal purpose, to be brought to him in due time; for, so is here held out. 4 Such as are given to Christ by the Father, and do in time come to him, are put in his keeping, and he hath a charge of them, not to lose any the least of them; for, this is the will of him that sent me, that of all he hath given me, I should lose nothing. Wherein the Father doth so commit the trust unto him, as he still keeps them in his own hand also, John 10.28, 29. 5. Christs charge and care of these that are given to them, extends even to the very day of their resurrection, that there he may make a good account of them, when all perils and hazards are now over, and that he may not so much as lose their dust, but gather it together again, and raise it up in glory, to be a proof of his fidelity: for, saith he, I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day, and so death and dissolution proves no losse.

From ver. 40. Learn 1. It is a truth that needs much and often to be inculcate upon us, that all spiritual advantages and benefits come to us, and are to be had, onely in Christ, and that in him they are all very sure; Therefore doth he againe repeat this doctrine, concerning what is to be had in him; and that they will surely get it, who come to him; About this truth we have naturally many doubts, and are averse from submitting to it; And when we close with it, it begets love, it moderates all our cares and fears, and strengtheneth us to endure all hardships. 2. However such as flee to Christ in the sense of their misery, are prone to doubt of Gods will to accept them, rather then of anything else; yet it is out of all controversie, that his will is to do good to such; Therefore it is againe repeated, this is the will of him that sent me, &c. to remove all doubts and fears. 3. Such as are given to Christ, to be under his charge, and participate of his benefits, are drawn to beleeve on him; And it is the Fathers will, and a part of the transaction betwixt him and the Sonne, that faith be the way to partake of these benefits, and not the fulfilling of the impossible condition of the works of the Law: for, they who are given to Christ, are expounded to be they who beleeve on him, and it is the Fathers will, that such partake of these benefits here mentioned, as of the rest of his purchase. Albeit mortification, holinesse, &c. do prepare for the possession of these benefits, and do evidence a right thereunto, and the begun possession thereof; Yet it is onely faith in Christ that giveth the right and title, that so it may be of grace. 4. A special mean of begetting faith in Christ in men, is, to see and know him spiritually; to have him revealed unto them, and to get open eyes that they may see and contemplate him, till they see beauty in him, which may allure them to renounce themselves and flee to him, and till they see fulnesse and alsufficiency, to answer all their doubts: for, they see (or, contemplate) the Sonne, who beleeve on him. 5. It is covenanted betwixt the Father and the Sonne, that beleevers shall (beside his tender dealing and care within time) be made partakers of everlasting life; for, it is explained that not to lose them, verse 39. is, that they may have everlasting life. 6. For the further assuring of beleevers of their eternal happinesse, it is also covenanted, that they shall have this life in present possession, in the earnest and first fruits thereof; for, they have everlasting life, even here, and before their raising up. 7. Christ, having given an earnest-penny of salvation, will not suffer it to be lost by any difficulty or impediment in the way; but will carry beleevers through all difficulties, till he destroy death and the grave, and raise up their very dust, that in body and soul they may partake of that blisse, and that he may make it manifest that death and rotting in the grave doth not make void his interest, nor cause his affection to cease: Therefore it is added, and I will raise him up at the last day. 8. Albeit beleevers are not all of one growth or size, but some are weak, and some strong; some little children, some young men, and some fathers; Yet all of them, without exception, have right to the benefits conferred by Christ, and the weak, as well as the strong, are under his care and charge; Yea, and may expect the more tender usage from him who carrieth the lambs in his bosome, &c. Isa. 40.11. Therefore is the charge and promise universal, that every one which beleeveth on him may have everlasting life.