Wednesday in the Third Week of Easter

Three of our Lord’s great sayings are strung together in today’s gospel.¹   I will contrast them with the Satan’s existence. 

First, a saying of Christ about Himself. “I am the bread of life–he that comes to me shall never hunger…” There’s a hunger, a desire in our hearts and affections that only Christ can fulfill., By contrast, the devil is always empty, always hungry, always thirsty, always angry without any relief, without any end, unwilling and unable to change.

Second, Christ says in today’s gospel, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” Even if our past sins have been very great, when we come to Christ to be forgiven, he will pardon us freely and give us everlasting life. By contrast, the devil will never come to Christ, will never love Jesus, and will never be loved by anyone.    

Third, Christ says: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.” What is eternal life?  It is heaven, and heaven is sharing in God’s divine nature.  The Father wants us to share in his divine happiness.  By contrast, the devil wants us to share in his eternal unhappiness, his torments forever. 

So, St. Benedict writes in the Prologue of his Rule for Monasteries: “…while there is still time, while we are still in the body and are able to fulfill these things by the light of this life, we must hasten to do now what will profit us for eternity.” 

 1. Expository Thoughts on John 6:35-40 by Pastor J.C. Ryle