The Work Of God

The Work of God

John 6:29 says, "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Earlier in John Chapter 6, Jesus had just fed 5,000 men, plus women and children. Evening had fallen. A stormy night-crossing of the Sea of Galilee had taken place.

John 6:22-29 says, "The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (23) (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled . (27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

In verse 24, we see that the people have crossed the Sea of Galilee and upon arriving in Capernaum, are seeking Jesus. That is good! Or is it?

In verse 26, Jesus tells them, "Yes, you're seeking me, but you're seeking me for the wrong reason!"

As a side note here, I do think it's worth mentioning that we need to examine ourselves carefully to make sure that we are always seeking Jesus for the right reasons.

These men are looking for a quick fix, the next meal, to have Jesus apply a band-aid and let them go about their business. Jesus has a way of cutting right to the chase. He tells them they are seeking Him for the wrong reasons. He goes on to tell them that they are really working hard to get another meal, something that can only sustain temporarily, (vs.27), physically, ("What's in it for me?") He tells them that they should be seeking Him to obtain that which lasts for eternity! He then tells them that He can give them eternal life...notice He will give it; they won't earn it.

They still don't get it. We know that because of their response in verse 28, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"

Look what Jesus tells them in verse 29, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

"Jesus, What shall I do?"

"Jesus, What shall we do?"

"Jesus, What great thing should we do to gain your favor?"

"Jesus, What can we barter with, to get you to serve us some more?"

"Jesus, What shall I do?"

Jesus simply says, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." What does that mean?

The work of God is simply that you believe on Jesus. That's just too simple isn't it? That doesn't appeal to our human nature, does it? No, of course not! In fact it is so simple, and we believe so strongly that there has to be something else to it, that we tend to dismiss it. "Oh no, I'm quit sure that there has to be more to it than that!"

That's not what Jesus says. He says that the work of the Father is to believe on Jesus. That is it. You can make it more difficult than that if you wish, but you are missing the life that God intended for you to live.

Still we question, "What shall I do?"

Jesus says, "The work of the Father is to believe on Jesus!" God is much more concerned with our being, than doing. What do I mean by that?

God addresses this elsewhere in the Bible when He says in Matthew chapter 7, beginning at verse 21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."