45. Jesus' Acceptance of the Father's Gift

Jesus’ Acceptance of the Father’s Gift

Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6.37.

In these precious words Jesus accepts the gift that God the Father gave Him. This gift is made up of conscience-stricken sinners who have the death penalty pronounced upon them. They have come to see their lost state and have been given over to Jesus. They may wonder if Jesus will want them with all their sins and guilt. After listening to Jesus’ words of our text, none of them has any reason to doubt.

First we notice that Jesus makes it plain that every individual in the Father’s gift is welcome. He could have said “they” that come unto me I will accept. But He chose to make it more personal by saying “him that cometh unto me.” He does not want any soul to feel he is overlooked. Once again we see the shepherd spirit in Him. He is interested not only in the flock, but also in the individual sheep, for “He calleth his own sheep by name” (John 10. 3). None can excel Jesus in making individuals feel that they are welcome. When He was here on earth everyone felt free to come to Him. Children and older folks, the rich and the poor, found their way to Him. No one need feel left out. Although the Father’s gift included millions upon millions of souls, yet Jesus looked upon this gift in terms of the individual. “Him” is a title that fits any one of us. Let us thank God for the simple, direct and personal way in which Jesus refers to us.

Notice also the three simple words, “Come unto me.” Jesus often uses these words in inviting people to come to Him. Perhaps the best known invitation of this kind is: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11. 28). The question is often asked, What, then, does it mean to “come” to Jesus? The simplest answer to this question would perhaps be to see how burdened sinners came to Jesus in the past. Let us use the example of the publican in the temple. Surely he was past all reliance on himself, for he had been thoroughly crushed because of his sins. He did not even dare “lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18. 13). He really came to God through this prayer, for we read: “This man went down to his house justified” (v. 14). To come to Jesus, then, means to come just as we are, confessing our sins. Hide nothing, for “He that covereth his transgression shall not prosper” (Proverbs 28. 13). It is natural indeed for a contrite soul to use even the very words of this publican. To all who have the same need as the publican Jesus says, “Come unto me.”

Jesus assures the sinner who comes to Him, that He “will in no wise cast him out.” Jesus knew that Satan tempts many poor souls to think that they are too vile to come to Him. It is true we are not worthy to come. If we look at our sinful past, we must confess that we deserve to be “cast out.” If we look at our deceitful hearts we see no good in them. No one ever truly comes to Christ who does not feel that he deserves to be “cast out.” That is why Christ speaks these words here. We must not look at ourselves any longer, or we would give up in despair. We must look to Christ’s promise, “Whosoever cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” “In no wise” means under no condition. Perhaps it would help us here to be reminded that God’s Word, once it is given, is never changed. We have the promise, “I will watch over my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1. 12). Therefore we can confidently come to Christ, knowing we will be accepted.
This, then, is how Jesus received the Father’s gift. Besides all that has been said, is His assuring word, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he bath given me I should lose nothing” (John 6. 39). No sinner who feels his need of Jesus and comes to Him is ever lost.

What cheering words are these!
Their sweetness who can tell?
In time and to eternal days, “
‘Tis with the righteous well.”
JOHN KENT, 1803.