These words have often been supposed to mean that no one can become a Christian unless an irresistible influence is put forth by God for his conversion. I think, if you look at the words of the text in their connection, and in relation to the circumstances in which they were written, you will see that Jesus is not here speaking either of an eternal "going" or of an irresistible "drawing."
I. What had drawn these crowds across the lake, away from their homes and their occupations? They cared merely for the material benefits which Christ's miracles conferred. They had eaten of the loaves and were filled. They were not following the drawing of the Father; they were merely drawn by the loaves and fishes. This was not the kind of coming Christ cared for. The crowds had come to Capernaum; they had not come to the Saviour.
II. To learn of the Father's teaching is to yield to the Father's drawing. So that the whole process here indicated is divisible in thought into three stages. First, there is the beginning; the Father teacheth draweth. But not all whom the Father teaches listen as yet to His teaching not all whom the Father draws yield as yet to His drawing. Hence, secondly, there is the middle point of separation: a man hears and learns of the Father; he accepts the teaching of the inward voice; he yields himself up to the inward drawing. Then, thirdly, there is the result; the man who thus submits to the Divine teaching and drawing cometh unto Christ; he recognises in Christ one whom the Father has sent to meet the needs and longings which the Father Himself has awakened.
III. Never imagine that there may be a secret decree of God, shutting you out from salvation. "God willeth all men to be saved." Yield to the Father's drawing. By His providence, His Holy Word, His Gospel, His Spirit, He has often appealed to you. He has made you conscious of your need. He has made you think of your future. He has given you glimpses of a higher life which it is possible for you to live. Yield, then, to His drawing, and come to Christ as your Teacher, your Exemplar, your Redeemer, and your King.
T. C. Finlayson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 280.
References: John 6:44. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iv., No. 18 2 John 1:6 :47. Ibid.,vol. xxviii., No. 164 2 John 1:6 :48. Homiletic Magazine,vol. viii., p. 201. Joh 6:48, John 6:49. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 110. John 6:48-54. Ibid.,vol. i., p. 110; vol. ix., p. 201. Joh 6:52. G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines of Sermons,p. 52; Phillips Brooks, The Candle of the Lord,p. 232. Joh 6:52-63. Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiv., p. 31; B. Jowett, Church of England Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 10.
I. When our Lord spoke of Himself as the Bread from heaven, the Jews murmured at Him, and said, "Is not this Jesus, whose father and mother we know? How is it, then, that He saith, I came down from heaven?" Then it was that Jesus spoke the words of my text. All such murmurings and disputations would not bring them any nearer to Him or to the truth. If they would listen to the still small voice which was trying to make itself heard in their deepest nature, then the words of Jesus would attract them; but so long as they drowned the inward voice by mere disputations, these words of Jesus would be only likely to repel them. Yielding to the drawing of the world, they might murmur and discuss and dispute, but they would only be drawn away from Him; they could not really come to Him, unless they yielded to the drawing of the Father.
II. Where, then, is there in this any hint of an exclusive election, or of an irresistible grace? On the contrary, does not Jesus here quote from the prophets a wide, inclusive word: "They shall be all taught of God"? And is He not here virtually blaming those who do not believe in Him because they are not learning of the Father? The fact is, that we all stand between two drawings the drawing of the flesh and the drawing of the Spirit. And what the text says is, that no man can come to Christ except as drawn by the Father. This, then, is the conclusion of the whole matter: yield to the Father's drawing, and come to Christ as your Teacher, your Exemplar, your Redeemer, and your King.
J. C. Finlayson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 280.