Jesus’ Flesh And Blood
Since the beginning of time, the choice to follow God has been an exercise in commitment (Genesis 2:16-17; 4:1ff; 6:5-8; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 John 3:12). And the choice to be committed to God is life-altering (Matthew 10:37; 19:29; John 21:18-19; Acts 2:38; Philippians 3:8-21). This life-altering reality comes in two forms: belief or disbelief (John 3:18, 36; 5:46-47; 8:24; 17:20; 20:31). For those who believe, they will choose to follow God’s expectations (Galatians 2:20; 5:19-26; 1 Timothy 4:1-7). For those who disbelieve, they will choose, albeit erroneously, to seek God’s obedience to their own expectations (John 6:15; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 John 1:9). This dichotomy of conviction is as true today as it was during the time of Jesus’ physical life. In fact, believing in Jesus, the Son of God, is paramount to the Godhead’s plan before time began (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-23; 3:9ff; Colossians 1:26). Jesus explained to them that true faith in Him revolves around complete commitment to His plan (John 3:36). Sadly, around the end of the first year of Jesus’ ministry (John 6:4; cf. John 2:13, 23; 11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14 for time frames surrounding the Passover), many of His disciples chose to leave Him because they couldn’t agree to follow His plan (John 6:66). They chose to reject His teachings on commitment (John 6:26-71).
This particular episode on commitment begins when Jesus asks, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat” (John 6:5)? This sounds like a simple question but the repercussions, for the hearer, holds deeply pronounced implications. From this question, people see Jesus’ ability to physically feed the masses (John 6:5-15). In fact, Jesus said this to those who reaped the benefit of the physical bread that there is greater bread than this. He said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). He is pointing out to them that it is not the physical giving of bread that saves; rather, it is the spiritual consumption of Jesus that imparts true life – Jesus is the true bread (John 6:33-35).
Jesus wants people to understand that being a follower of Him is to consume His flesh and blood (John 6:53-59). He is not commanding people to physically eat His flesh and drink His actual blood (Leviticus 7:26; 17:10-14). He is simply stating, through analogy, that to follow Him is to absorb everything about Him and apply Him to our lives. In essence, we consume His lifestyle and His teachings to benefit the wishes and the purpose of God (John 6:63). This teaching is why most of His disciples turned away from Him (John 6:64-66). This is why many people don’t follow Him today. Yet, those who do follow Him recognize that what He says and who He is remains true. As Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). In essence, we will consume You!
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
Since the beginning of time, the choice to follow God has been an exercise in commitment (Genesis 2:16-17; 4:1ff; 6:5-8; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 John 3:12). And the choice to be committed to God is life-altering (Matthew 10:37; 19:29; John 21:18-19; Acts 2:38; Philippians 3:8-21). This life-altering reality comes in two forms: belief or disbelief (John 3:18, 36; 5:46-47; 8:24; 17:20; 20:31). For those who believe, they will choose to follow God’s expectations (Galatians 2:20; 5:19-26; 1 Timothy 4:1-7). For those who disbelieve, they will choose, albeit erroneously, to seek God’s obedience to their own expectations (John 6:15; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 John 1:9). This dichotomy of conviction is as true today as it was during the time of Jesus’ physical life. In fact, believing in Jesus, the Son of God, is paramount to the Godhead’s plan before time began (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-23; 3:9ff; Colossians 1:26). Jesus explained to them that true faith in Him revolves around complete commitment to His plan (John 3:36). Sadly, around the end of the first year of Jesus’ ministry (John 6:4; cf. John 2:13, 23; 11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14 for time frames surrounding the Passover), many of His disciples chose to leave Him because they couldn’t agree to follow His plan (John 6:66). They chose to reject His teachings on commitment (John 6:26-71).
This particular episode on commitment begins when Jesus asks, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat” (John 6:5)? This sounds like a simple question but the repercussions, for the hearer, holds deeply pronounced implications. From this question, people see Jesus’ ability to physically feed the masses (John 6:5-15). In fact, Jesus said this to those who reaped the benefit of the physical bread that there is greater bread than this. He said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). He is pointing out to them that it is not the physical giving of bread that saves; rather, it is the spiritual consumption of Jesus that imparts true life – Jesus is the true bread (John 6:33-35).
Jesus wants people to understand that being a follower of Him is to consume His flesh and blood (John 6:53-59). He is not commanding people to physically eat His flesh and drink His actual blood (Leviticus 7:26; 17:10-14). He is simply stating, through analogy, that to follow Him is to absorb everything about Him and apply Him to our lives. In essence, we consume His lifestyle and His teachings to benefit the wishes and the purpose of God (John 6:63). This teaching is why most of His disciples turned away from Him (John 6:64-66). This is why many people don’t follow Him today. Yet, those who do follow Him recognize that what He says and who He is remains true. As Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). In essence, we will consume You!
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
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Published in the blog, "The Lord's Humbled" on June 24, 2014
