Consume Jesus 07/24/2010
 
So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.  As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever" (John 6:53-58).

Some people have studied this passage and use it for teachings about the "Eucharist/Communion/Lord's Supper".  But the context doesn't attribute these teaching to deal with worship specifically.

Jesus is stressing the importance of consuming Him; that is, His teachings, godliness, and lifestyle.  If we truly choose Jesus and follow Him we will have everlasting life.  So, consume Jesus and be humbled before Him

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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How important is it to keep the faith as was passed down by the apostles?

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:3-4).

Today, as in the first century, the teachings of the apostles of Christ have been perverted in many ways.  The apostle John has to fight against those who would bring false doctrines about Christ into the body and he encourages all Christians to do the same.  Therefore, it is important to know what the true teachings of Christ is and stick with it.   Your reward in heaven will be great.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Grieving is a natural part of loss but not an easy one.  The loss can be anything from a job loss to the loss of a loved one.  (Please, see my article on God, Do You Love Me?)  But those who are in Christ have hope - Heaven.  Heaven is a place where God is and He promises to wiped away all our tears.  How glorious that will be. 

There are a couple of books on loss and grieving in my reference section.  It is hard to know what to say or how to act when someone is tramatized by loss and in the process of grieving.  My advice, as one who has experience the loss of a spouse, is not to give advice unless asked.  Be a good listener and offer a hug in quietness.  Yet, the best thing that can be done for someone in any loss situation is being proactive with the teachings of Christ.  The greatest gift you can give any person is the knowledge that the Lord is on thier side regardless of life's experiences.  Don't wait to teach them, and all people you come in contact with, the true Gospel of Christ and then "brothers . . . you may not grieve as others do who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).

I encourage you to teach others, daily, about the hope in Christ.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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