Meaning of John 6:38

Jesus' declaration in John 6:38 is a profound statement of His divine identity and His mission on earth, underscoring His subordinate relationship to the Father and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's purpose. This verse is spoken within the context of Jesus feeding the five thousand, an event that demonstrates His power and authority, yet also prompts a misunderstanding among the crowd about His true nature and purpose. They were seeking Him for more bread, a physical sustenance, while Jesus was focused on a spiritual nourishment and a divine agenda. His statement serves to redirect their focus from His miraculous deeds to the ultimate reason for His presence, which was to accomplish the Father's will, not His own. This self-renunciation is a cornerstone of His incarnational ministry, highlighting His perfect obedience and His ultimate sacrifice for humanity.

Context and Background

The discourse in John 6 follows Jesus' miraculous feeding of the multitude. The people, having been physically satisfied, sought Him out again, not necessarily for spiritual truth, but for more physical bread. Jesus rebuked their materialistic pursuit, urging them to seek the "food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:27). This leads into His explanation of His identity as the Bread of Life, sent by God. His statement in verse 38 is a direct response to the implied question of His origin and purpose. It is crucial to understand that Jesus, as the divine Son, inherently possesses a will, but His incarnate mission is entirely aligned with and subservient to the Father's will.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Obedience: The primary theme is Jesus' absolute obedience to the Father. His coming from heaven signifies His divine origin, and His purpose is explicitly stated as fulfilling the Father's plan, not asserting His own desires or agenda. This highlights a perfect submission, a radical self-emptying for the sake of a greater purpose.
• Christological Identity: This verse is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' divinity and His unique relationship with God the Father. He is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the Son sent from heaven, whose very existence and actions are dictated by the Father's will.
• Soteriological Purpose: The ultimate goal of His mission, doing the Father's will, is salvation. The Father's will, in this context, encompasses the redemption of humanity through the Son's sacrifice and resurrection.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, John 6:38 offers a model for Christian living. It calls us to a similar spirit of selfless service and obedience to God's will in our own lives. While we do not have the same divine origin or mission as Jesus, we are called to align our desires and actions with God's purposes as revealed in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit. This involves surrendering our personal ambitions when they conflict with God's greater plan and seeking to live lives that honor Him. It encourages a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that our true fulfillment comes from participating in His work.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is central to the overarching narrative of salvation history. It connects the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah with the New Testament fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Father's will, spoken of here, is the plan of redemption that God initiated from the Fall of humanity and progressively revealed throughout the Old Testament. Jesus' arrival is the culmination of this plan, the decisive act of God's love to reconcile humanity to Himself. His obedience in carrying out this will ultimately leads to the cross and the resurrection, the pivotal events of Christian faith.

Analogies

One analogy to understand Jesus' submission to the Father's will is that of a skilled craftsman sent by a patron to execute a specific, intricate design. The craftsman possesses his own skills and ideas, but his mandate is to bring the patron's vision to fruition precisely as intended, not to deviate or impose his own aesthetic. Similarly, Jesus, with His divine capabilities, is executing the Father's perfect plan for humanity's salvation. Another analogy is that of a son who, out of deep love and respect for his father, dedicates his life to completing a vital family legacy project, setting aside his own personal pursuits to ensure the father's legacy is honored and brought to completion.

Relation to Other Verses

John 6:38 resonates with numerous other biblical passages that emphasize Jesus' obedience and divine mission:

• Philippians 2:5-8: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross." This passage directly mirrors the concept of Jesus setting aside His divine prerogative to fulfill the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death.
• Hebrews 10:5-10: "Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will, O God’—as is said of me in the scroll of the first] part of the scroll].’" This quote, attributed to Jesus in Hebrews, directly echoes the sentiment of John 6:38, highlighting His coming to fulfill God's specific redemptive plan.
• Luke 22:42: In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing His impending crucifixion, Jesus prays, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but yours be done." This prayer is a poignant demonstration of His perfect submission to the Father's will, even in the face of immense suffering, reinforcing the principle articulated in John 6:38.