John 6:63:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Jesus has just given his famed “I am the bread of life…” speech to the men and women who were following him. The scripture says that after this, many of them turned away because the saying was so hard to swallow. This is part of Jesus’ response to their unbelief.

He is saying that the words they’re hearing were spiritual words. They were words for those who’d been quickened to hear them.

This follows his words earlier saying that unless they’re “drawn” (from the Greek word, Helkuo, meaning literally ‘to drag’) by the father, they cannot come and that all that the Father gives him, he will not lose (v.39 and v.44).

Jesus is teaching that He alone is the source of Life and that all there are no paths to God found in the flesh, but that without the Spirit of God the flesh is worthless in this venture.

I take great comfort in remembering this. Because the human tendency is to search for God with his flesh. But I know from experience that my flesh doesn’t lead me to God. It never has and, according to this, it never will. So, although I am a consistent failure in flesh, God is a constant victor in his Spirit in me.