Seeing Christ the Prophet in John 6Sample

Fulfilling HIs Prophetic Office

As John 6 draws to a close and many disciples no longer walk with him, Jesus asks the twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?” (John 6:67). Then Peter replies, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) The language of “words” is prophetically significant. Six times in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 the prophet is characterized as one who brings words. More specifically, God’s prophet brings God’s words. Here in John 6, Peter says, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). When Jesus asked Peter and the disciples if they too would depart, the reader can imagine Peter’s deduction. “How did we hear of salvation? We had to hear of salvation from you, Jesus. Prophets of old had foretold the promise, but you fulfill both the prophets and the prophecy. Not only that, but you now come even as the long-awaited and promised prophet, and so when you ask, ‘Will you now also go away?’ We disciples must answer, we will not depart from God’s great and long-promised messiah. We will not forsake God’s ultimate prophet who offers eternal life. We will not fail to give allegiance to our heavenly king.

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus fulfills this prophetic role of not only representing God but preaching God’s revelation to the people. Consider how many times Jesus insists that his words come not from himself, but from the Father (John 7:16; 8:26, 28, 40; 12:49-50; 14:24, 15:15). Even some of those who encountered Jesus recognized this reality and made such a confession (John 4:19, 6:14, 7:40, 9:17). Irrefutably, Jesus speaks the Word of God. In every single word of the gospels, and in all of his teaching, he is a prophet, he is the prophet. In our most basic understanding, we recognize that in all that Jesus did, in all that Jesus said—in his person, in his display of acts, signs, and miracles, and in the events not only that he did but also those he explained—Christ reveals God and fulfills his prophetic office. Jesus reveals in all of his person and work. Jesus does not fulfill the prophetic office as if he merely joins the ranks of another prophet among many. He comes as the prophet—the messianic and redeeming prophet—and thus Peter along with all of Jesus’ disciples declares, “We will not go away because you alone have the words of eternal life. We hear them from no one else (John 6:68).”

__________________________________________________________________

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 24 see in Reformed Confessions, 356

Thank you for reading!

This plan was adapted from Prophet, Priest, & King by author R. Albert Mohler Jr. Click here to learn more or purchase your copy.