QT 15/05/2026 Fri. John 6:25–59 The Only Work That Matters 唯一重要的工作

QT 15/05/2026 Fri. John 6:25–59 The Only Work That Matters
READ http://www.esv.org/john6:25-59

Ever feel like you’re constantly trying to be ‘good enough’ for God? Doing more, fixing yourself, trying harder? Jesus gives a shocking answer in John 6—the most important work isn’t what you do… it’s what you believe. Let’s unpack John 6:25–59.

When the crowd finally finds Jesus, their question sounds spiritual: “Rabbi, when did you come here?” But Jesus sees deeper. They aren’t really seeking Him—they’re seeking what He can give them. Full stomachs. Easy provision. A more comfortable life.

Jesus responds with a startling redirection: “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life…” (John 6:27)

Immediately, they ask the natural follow-up: “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

That question still echoes today. We often assume the “most important work” must be something we accomplish—serving more, giving more, fixing ourselves, proving our worth. But Jesus gives an unexpected answer:

“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:29)

(1) The Work That Isn’t Work

Jesus reframes everything. The most important “work” is not striving—it’s trusting. Not achieving—but believing.

This cuts against our instincts. We want measurable progress, visible results, something we can point to and say, “I did this.” But Jesus points us away from self-reliance and toward Himself. Faith feels too simple, even too passive. Yet it is the hardest thing of all—because it requires surrender.

Reflection: What if the most important thing God asks of you… isn’t to work harder—but to stop working altogether and exit the rat race? In John 6, Jesus flips everything we think we know about earning God’s approval. The one ‘work’ that actually matters is to believe in Jesus, isn’t it?

(2) The Bread That Truly Satisfies

The crowd brings up Moses and manna, hinting they want another miracle. Jesus corrects them: “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” (John 6:32) Then He makes the bold claim: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger…” (John 6:35)

They were focused on temporary provision. Jesus offers eternal satisfaction. We still chase “perishable bread”—success, comfort, approval, security. None of it lasts. None of it fills the deeper hunger of the soul. Only Christ does.

(3) Receiving, Not Earning

Jesus pushes even further, using vivid and challenging language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. At its core, He is emphasising this truth: Salvation is not earned—it is received.

Just as food must be taken in to give life, Christ must be personally received by faith. Not admired from a distance. Not understood intellectually alone. But embraced fully.

(4) Why This Matters

Many in the crowd struggle with this teaching. It’s offensive because it removes human effort from the centre and places Jesus there instead. But this is the heart of the gospel:

• You don’t work your way to life.
• You don’t earn God’s favor.
• You don’t fix yourself first.
• You believe. You come. You receive.

And in doing so, you find the only One who truly satisfies.

Reflection Questions

(a) What “perishable bread” am I currently working for that cannot truly satisfy?
(b) Do I subtly believe my standing with God depends on my performance?
(c) What would it look like today to simply trust Christ more deeply?

Prayer

Dear Lord, I confess how easily I chase after things that don’t last. I try to prove myself, to earn what You already offer freely. Teach me the true work of faith—to believe in You, to rest in You, to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life. Satisfy the deepest hunger of my soul, and help me to live from that fullness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 15/05/2026 星期五. 约翰福音6:25–59 唯一重要的工作
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john6%3A25-59&version=CNVS

你是否曾觉得自己总在努力成为“足够好”的信徒？做更多事、修饰自己、更加努力？耶稣在约翰福音第6章给出了一个令人震惊的答案——最重要的事工并非你所做的事……而是你所相信的。让我们来深入探讨约翰福音6:25–59。

当人群终于找到耶稣时，他们的问题听起来很属灵：“拉比，你几时到这里来的？” 但耶稣看透了他们的内心。他们并非真正寻求祂——而是寻求祂能给予他们的东西。饱足的肚子。轻松的供应。更舒适的生活。

耶稣以一个令人震惊的转向回应道：“不要为那必朽坏的食物操劳，却要为那存到永生的食物操劳……”（约翰福音 6:27）

随即，他们提出了顺理成章的追问： “我们应该作什么，才算是作　神的工作呢？”

这个问题至今仍在回响。我们常以为“最重要的工作”必定是某种我们能成就的事——多做些事、多施舍、自我完善、证明自身价值。但耶稣给出了一个出人意料的答案：““信　神所差来的，就是作　神的工了。”（约翰福音 6:29）

(1) 那并非劳作的“工作”

耶稣重新定义了一切。最重要的“工作”并非努力奋斗——而是信靠。不是成就——而是相信。

这与我们的本能背道而驰。我们渴望可衡量的进步、看得见的成果，渴望能指着某件事说：“这是我做的。”但耶稣引导我们远离自力更生，转向祂自己。信心看似过于简单，甚至过于被动。然而，它却是世上最难之事——因为它需要全然顺服。

反思：倘若神对你的最大要求……不是更努力地工作，而是彻底停止劳碌，退出这场无休止的竞争？在《约翰福音》第六章中，耶稣颠覆了我们关于如何赢得神认可的一切认知。真正重要的“工作”，其实就是信靠耶稣，不是吗？

(2) 真正能使人满足的饼

人群提起摩西和吗哪，暗示他们想要另一个神迹。耶稣纠正他们：“而是我父把天上来的真食物赐给你们”（约翰福音6:32）随后，祂大胆宣告：““我就是生命的食物，到我这里来的，必定不饿；信我的，永远不渴。”（约翰福音6:35）

他们关注的是暂时的供应。耶稣所赐的却是永恒的满足。我们至今仍在追逐“会朽坏的饼”——成功、安逸、认可、安全。这些都无法持久，也无法填满灵魂深处的饥渴。唯有基督能做到。

(3) 领受，而非赚取

耶稣更进一步，用“吃我的肉，喝我的血”这一生动而发人深省的比喻。其核心在于，祂强调了这样一个真理：救恩并非靠赚取——而是靠领受。

正如必须摄入食物才能获得生命，我们也必须凭着信心亲自领受基督。不是远远地仰望，不是仅凭理智理解，而是全然接纳。

(4) 为何这至关重要

人群中许多人对这一教导感到难以接受。它之所以令人反感，是因为它将人的努力从中心位置移开，取而代之的是耶稣。但这正是福音的核心：

• 你无法靠自己的努力获得生命。
• 你无法靠自己的功劳赢得神的恩宠。
• 你不必先自我完善。
• 你要信。你要来。你要领受。

如此行，你便会遇见那位唯一能真正满足你的人。

反思问题

(a) 我目前正在为哪种“会朽坏的饼”而劳苦，却无法真正得到满足？
(b) 我是否潜意识里认为自己在神面前的地位取决于我的表现？
(c) 今天，若要更深地信靠基督，具体该如何实践？

祷告

亲爱的主，我承认自己多么容易追逐那些转瞬即逝的事物。我试图证明自己，试图赚取你早已白白赐予的恩典。求你教导我信心的真义——信靠你，安息于你，领受耶稣作为生命的粮。求你满足我灵魂最深的饥渴，并帮助我活出那丰盛的生命。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。