Seeing Christ the Prophet in John 6ಮಾದರಿ

Jesus’ Prophetic Ministry Revealed

John 6 clarifies that the only proper response to the prophetic word is faith, resulting from the regeneration by the Spirit. So Jesus continues, “It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God.” (John 6:45). In the context of his own ministry and in the midst of his own declaration of his saving identity as the very bread of life, Jesus cites Isaiah’s promise that “Then all your children will be taught by the LORD, their prosperity will be great.” (Isaiah 54:13) By referencing that specific statement of the prophet and then saying that all people who hear and learn from the Father come to him, Jesus explains those who do and those who do not hear his prophetic word. He explains those who are and are not saved. The Father teaches, or makes alive, some and not others, and only a few verses later, Jesus adds that the Holy Spirit serves as the operating explanation:

“The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.) He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father.” (John 6:63-65).

The Spirit of God makes us alive. Apart from him, faith is inoperative. Flesh in this sense describes the principle of human sinfulness including even human self-righteousness, which in God’s economy equates to filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Yet, the Spirit gives life. He works to make one live, meaning that he gives salvation. Scripture teaches quite clearly that no one can believe until that moment of illumination by the act of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration comes when that opening of the eyes leads to faith in Christ—we then feed on the Bread of Life.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism rightly asserts that “Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.” Jesus declares that his words contain life, and herein we find the gospel message—the words of spirit and the words of life. This is why Jesus said that no one will come to him unless the Father grants it. The Father instructs the hearts of men to believe in the Son through the working of the Holy Spirit. God alone remains the initiator of belief, and so some hear his word while others do not. Some refuse Jesus’ prophetic word and turn back (John 6:66). This is Jesus’s prophetic ministry revealed: in the preaching of the gospel of new life in him, and in the massive revelatory disclosure of God’s sovereignty in human salvation.