ONE OF THE FIRST things that meets the eye upon entering the home of William C—is a text in large bold letters hanging on the living room wall. It is John 6:37,37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) and from a page out of his well-thumbed Bible it was evidently a text not unknown to him. He believed in its sacred power to draw weary sinners to the Savior’s feet. His life, from the day God saved him to its close, was spent in quiet, faithful service for the One who saved him by His grace. Handicapped by deafness and lack of schooling, he nevertheless applied himself to the study of the Word of God, and the markings through his Bible display a keen relish for the precious Book.
Our frontispiece shows a page from John 6. As you will see, he noticed the special emphasis put on the words: Come, eat and bread in the chapter. Put together they simply form the incentive that gave him such joy in the Savior. The chapter, as a careful reading will show, opens with the feeding of the five thousand by the Lord Jesus Christ at the hill-side against Tiberias. It is the only miracle recorded by all four Evangelists, and demands closest attention.
It was the basis for the discourse that followed. A question is raised by those whom the Lord has just satisfied with bread: “What shall we do that we might work the works of God?” (John 6:2828Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (John 6:28)). And the answer is from the lips of Him who cannot lie: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:2929Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29)). But as unbelieving as Israel in Egypt, when God sent a deliverer to them, they here demand a “sign” that they may believe! Have they so quickly forgotten the miracle of the preceding day when five thousand men, besides women and children, were fed with “five barley loaves and two small fishes?” Eyes they had, but “they saw not,” and further refer Him to the fact that their fathers ate manna in the desert, “as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto Him, Lord evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me and believe not. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:32-3732Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:32‑37)).
It is a Royal invitation from the King of kings and Lord of lords. “COME: for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:1717And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (Luke 14:17)). God is ready to save you; Christ Jesus is ready to receive you; the Holy Spirit is ready to indwell you. Are you ready?
Salvation, wrought out by Him who cried upon the Cross, “IT IS FINISHED,” is ready for you; atonement has been made for sin and all uncleanness, the cleansing fountain is now open, and God stands ready to clothe you with the robe of righteousness. Are you ready? The “great supper” has been provided and the feast is spread for you. Will you make absurd excuses to remain away from it? You do so at the peril of your own soul! What excuse will you make to God when you stand before Him in view of the fact that you know He is now inviting you to Come and partake of His grace, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved? It is but another of the many gospel bells that God has been ringing these many long years which millions have heard and answered. And still these:
Gospel bells invite us,
| To a feast prepared for all;
Do not slight the invitation,
Nor reject the gracious call.
“I am the Bread of Life;
Eat of Me, thou hungry soul,
Though your sins be red as crimson,
They shall be as white as wool.”
Does your heart say Yes, or No? Are you numbered among those who “believe not”? Remember, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). Do you understand those dread words, dear reader? Listen to the awful sentence from the Faithful and True Witness, “But the fearful and unbelieving ... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)).
Hear another word of the Faithful Witness, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). And this believing is “coming,” and by coming you will prove that God has provided for your blessing now and evermore.
From the Cross uplifted high,
Where the Savior deigns to die,
What melodious sounds I hear,
Bursting on my ravished ear!
Love’s redeeming work is done;
Come, and welcome! sinner, Come!
Spread for thee the festal board,
See with richest dainties stored;
To thy Father’s bosom pressed,
Yet again a child confessed,
Never from His House to roam;
Come, and welcome! sinner, Come!”
—Haweis