April 15, 2023
All Means All
“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.’” John 6:36-37 (NASB)
While attending seminary at Liberty University, one professor was a favorite, Dr. Elmer Towns. He was a master story teller who could use stories to illustrate Bible truths. He was the dean of the seminary at the time but taught many Bible classes throughout my years in seminary. One night toward the end of class, he asked a strange question. We thought was a trick. We were sure it involved some deep and profound thought. It concerned God’s love for mankind in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He asked our class, “When God so loved the world, who is “the world?” The class remained silent. One student thinking he had a deep profound thought, responded… but incorrectly. Dr. Towns again said, “Who is the world?” Students remained silent thinking they didn’t want to make another incorrect statement. Then he responded, “The world is “all” the world, past, present, and future.” Then he asked, “What does all mean?” Silence again from the class, waiting for the first Guinea pig. He responded, “Simply put, all means all.” How simple. This is a simple truth Jesus shared with a fickle crowd. All means all. A truth that stumped the most astute student in seminary.
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me…” Observe this statement closely though. The word, “All” or pas (Greek), is expressed in singular number and neuter gender, meaning literally “everything,” or “all.” This counting term is used with numbers with everyone being tabulated individually to the whole. All believers are regarded as one complete whole in Christ. These believers are those who the Father gives to Jesus. When God gives them to Jesus, He is the sole provider for their salvation. He seals and secures their salvation. When it occurs, Jesus assures each of us, “and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” This is the promise of God and assurance through Jesus Christ as our Savior. Note this statement from Jesus in His priestly prayer found in John 17:1-2, “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.” This is the promise of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has been given “authority over all flesh… and He may give eternal life.”
When people come to Jesus for what He can do in crisis’s of life, they often see the deliverance and want more. But what? Is it more food, or something else? The fickle people did this when they crossed the sea seeking Jesus. They were looking for something they didn’t understand. Jesus questions were still unclear. Since the average Jew concentrated on works to please God, they missed the Living Bread. They were too busy determining what bread would feed them, and how to perform the works to please God. But they needed proof to determine if Jesus was for real. Today, I believe some Christians still don’t understand the full implications of their salvation. They are looking for something that fits their needs here but have no thought of the future. They have become part of the “all” in Christ, but don’t fully engage Him each day. Start afresh and ask Jesus to show you the way. Pray Jesus would show you all He desires for your life, so you don’t chase Him like the fickle crowd never understanding His will.