Have You Heard The Word?

Articles From Our Bulletins

Philip C. Strong
05/18/21 - Bulletin Articles

Jesus makes an interesting statement to His disciples in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” Now, without really digging into the context of this statement, just think about it with me for a moment or three…

He says “the word” (singular, as a collective noun encompassing everything He has spoken to them instead of several individual statements) had made them “clean.” This cleansing power of the word is obviously in reference to the uncleanliness (or staining effect) of sin on the soul. But think further about the implications of this statement…

It is “the words” of Jesus that clean, not the miracles. The miracles of Jesus generally did not clean those who saw them unless they, because of the miracles, listened to and obeyed what Jesus said. Note John 6:5-13 where Jesus fed roughly 5,000 people with five barley loaves and two fish. V.14 affirms that “the people saw the sign which He had performed” and said, “This is of a truth the Prophet who is come into the world.” Did witnessing and even benefitting from the miracle “clean” them from sin? They even believed and declared that He was “the Prophet,” and thus believed and confessed a measure of faith in Him. But again, did such “clean” them from sin? Let’s continue with the story…

The next day, “the multitude… found Him on the other side of the sea,” John 6:26. But He said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because of you ate of the loaves, and were filled,” vv.25-26. Jesus assesses and affirms their carnality- that didn’t really want spiritual cleansing from Him, just more food. He further instructs them (with words!), “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you,” v.27. This “food which endures to eternal life” surely does not consist of grain and poultry, but “the word” that cleanses the soul and prepares it for heaven! In v.35 He brings it all home to and for them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” But here’s the kicker…

Despite them having believed and confessed Him as “the Prophet who is come into the world” after witnessing the sign of the loaves and fish (cf. v.14), in v.36 Jesus states the truth plainly, “But I say to you, that you have seen Me, and yet did not believe.” Get that: they saw, and even confessed, but did not really believe. Why not? They did not listen to the word He spoke which would have cleansed them just like it did His disciples in John 15:3! How do we know this? Keep reading…

When this multitude “grumbled” at the words of Jesus in v.41, Jesus further explained what was happening, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him,” v.44. The logical question that follows is, “How does the Father ‘draw’ one to Jesus? Note carefully v.45, “And they shall be taught of God. Every one who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.” One hears and learns saving words, and “comes” to Jesus for salvation by obeying them! It’s not enough to just see or even experience Jesus, one must hear and obey His words to be saved. How do we know this? Again, keep reading…

Jesus continued speaking and explaining the truth of the gospel (in words) to this multitude in vv.46-59. However, note that this multitude, and even some of Jesus’ disciples (not twelve, cf. vv.67ff) “withdrew, and were not walking with Him any more,” v.66. It was not the miracle Jesus performed to which they objected (or its physical benefits!), nor was it the experience of seeing Him in person that caused them to turn away, but it was, instead, His word that they to rejected…the same word that cleansed His disciples that heard, learned, and obeyed it in John 15:3!

What about you? Is your “belief” in Jesus based upon His miracles and your “personal experience(s)” with Him, or the word of His gospel message and your obedience to it? Unless you hear, learn, and come to Him in obedience, you, like this multitude in John 6, are rejecting Him…and are thus NOT “clean because of the word”! Think about it, won’t you? Eternity hangs in the balance.