Your works are insufficient
In John chapter 6, Jesus multiples five barley loaves of bread and two small fish to feed a great multitude of people. The passage reads as follows:
"After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?' But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.' One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 'There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?' Then Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.' Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten."
You're probably familiar with this event. You're probably also familiar with Exodus 16 (the manna that came down from heaven) which parallels all of John chapter 6 to the end. The manna that came down from heaven was a picture of Christ and was done in anticipation of Him thousands of years ago. However, as I was reading this particular section, I noticed one small detail that compliments it nicely. The two disciples highlighted here are Philip and Andrew. That being said, one of the roots for Philip (hippos) means "horse" and the root of Andrew (anér) means "man." These words used in close proximity reminded me of another passage in Psalm 147 that reads, "He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy."
In this context, we can see a picture form- a picture that is prevalent throughout scripture. It is a picture of works vs faith. Therefore, let me ask you: What is sufficient for salvation? Can we earn salvation by our own works? Is there a certain amount we must accomplish to be acceptable before God? Or must there be another way, another way that accomplishes what we cannot? That answer can be found in what John chapter 6 pictures. When Jesus asked Philip "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Philip did not have an answer that satisfied. Even if they had 200 denarii to buy bread, the money was not sufficient to buy enough bread that everyone could have just a little. Andrew also noted that even what they did have, five barley loaves and two small fish, could not possibly feed so many. Don't miss this. What was physically lacking also had a spiritual reality. What they lacked, Jesus had. Jesus is the bread of life- He is the living bread that came down from heaven. He offers His righteousness which is sufficient for us. And as Jesus multiplied the bread and the fish before their eyes, this reality became known in Him. He is the answer that we need and the One we've been waiting for. Therefore, the righteousness we cannot obtain through our own strength, Jesus accomplished for us on our behalf. Think of Him multiplying the bread and fish and the people eating the bread and fish to the full. He is the way, the truth, and the life. It is by Him that we obtain righteousness and the righteousness we obtain by Him is through faith- and faith alone. Our works are simply insufficient. It is a theme presented over and over again in scripture. Instead, "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy."
Paul also writes about the righteousness of faith in Romans 10:6-10, he says: But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Remember this- the gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are given to us so that we may know that Jesus is the Christ. They are given to show us that we do not measure up. They show us that what we can offer God, through the works of the law and good deeds, are insufficient for us to be called righteous. They show us that we are in need of a Savior- and that Savior is Jesus.
Let me end with this...
One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 55, especially verses 1 through 3. Read them with me and contemplate on what is being said.
"HO! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy an eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you- The sure mercies of David."
As it is said in Psalm 147 and Isaiah 55, is true in John chapter 6. Those who put their hope in His mercy- who is Jesus- apart from their works, will be filled with everlasting life. This is representative of the bread and fish Jesus multiplied and they ate to the full. They were fully satisfied in Him.
Therefore, let it be known- if you are relying on your own righteousness, or your own works under the law, or your own good deeds to be sufficient to inherit eternal life, you are gravely mistaken. Put your hope fully on the Lord Jesus and in His work to be sufficient for you. He came down from heaven, He fulfilled the law, He died for our sins, He went into the grave, and He rose from the dead. He did it all for us because we could not do it ourselves. So that now, through faith in Him (simple faith), His righteousness can be ours. Your works are insufficient. What Jesus offers is sufficient. Trust in Him.