Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 6:37
John Bunyan is most famous for The Pilgrim's Progress, which is, besides the Bible, history's bestselling book. But he also authored fifty-seven other books. One of the loveliest is Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, written in 1678. In this particular book he takes John 6:37 and zeroes in on it, looking at it from every angle, wringing it dry. He confronts our innate suspicions of Christ's deepest heart. Using his KJV rendering ("Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"), Bunyan writes:
They that are coming to Jesus Christ, are often times heartily afraid that Jesus Christ will not receive them.
This observation is implied in the text.
I gather it from the largeness and openness of the promise: "I will in no wise cast out."
For this word, "in no wise," cuts the throat of all objections; and it was dropped by the Lord Jesus for that very end; and to help the faith that is mixed with unbelief.
But I am a great sinner, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I am an old sinner, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I am a hard-hearted sinner, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I am a backsliding sinner, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I have served Satan all my days, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I have sinned against light, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I have sinned against mercy, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
But I have no good thing to bring with me, say you.
"I will in no wise cast out," says Christ.
What is Bunyan after?
Jesus's statement in John 6:37, and the book Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, and this quote at the center of that book, all exist to calm us with the persevering nature of the heart of Christ. We
say, "But I . . ." He says, "I will never cast out."
Fallen, anxious sinners are limitless in their capacity to perceive reasons for Jesus to cast them out. We are factories of fresh resistances to Christ's love. Even when we run out of tangible reasons to be cast out, such as specific sins or failures, we tend to retain a vague sense that, given enough time, Jesus will finally grow tired of us and hold us at arm's length. Bunyan understands us. He knows we tend to deflect Christ's assurances.
"No, wait"--we say, cautiously approaching Jesus--"you don't understand. I've really messed up, in all kinds of ways."
I know, he responds.
"You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than w
