The Flesh Is No Help

Lesson #117

The disciples have been listening to some very difficult spiritual truths without the benefit of the Holy Spirit who was given at Pentecost. Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63 ESV). Every person is born spiritually dead and when it comes to obtaining spiritual life “the flesh is no help at all.” “It is the Spirit who gives life” and it is he who gives understanding. The words that Jesus speaks are spirit and life in that they work in the unseen spiritual realm and awaken spiritual life within us. It is this spiritual life that is needed for our understanding of spiritual things.

From divine omniscience, Jesus demonstrates that he knows who believes and who doesn’t by saying, ““There are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” (John 6:64 ESV). I am intrigued by the statement “Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe.” Just as God had an intelligent design for the universe I believe Scripture supports that God has an intelligent design for the body of Christ. The Father has chosen every member that will make up the body (Ephesians 1:4) and has an exact design for each member that will be a part of the body. Each one the father draws to himself and gives as a gift to Jesus who then gives eternal life and raises him or her from the dead. As God, Jesus knows who these believers are and those who stand before him here in chapter 6 he knows this about them. He knew when he chose Judas that he would betray him. Judas was part of the divine plan. Jesus knew Judas was not on the list of people (the Lamb’s Book of Life) the Father would draw and thus would not believe so he was chosen. It was not granted by the Father that Judas would be able to come to Jesus in belief. Jesus points this out by saying, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65 ESV). “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13 – 14 ESV). The few that find the way are the ones the Father draws and grants authority to. This is the Fathers sovereign choice. He is free to show mercy on those he so chooses and those chosen he gives to Jesus, who gives as an act of grace eternal life.

Prayer

Father, as I finish this section I simply want to say thank you for the truth you have revealed to me over the years; for the life you have given to me through Jesus Christ; for the Spirit that lives within me that gives me understanding; for the living hope I have for the future. Thank you.