Day 23-Thursday, March 7th
John 6:48-59
Counting the Cost

Continuing His conversation with these Jews, Jesus states again that He is the “bread of life” but then progresses this theme to the shocking statement that these Jews should eat this bread-His flesh.

But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:50-51 NIV

These Jews who were struggling with His claim to have “come down from heaven”, are now incredulous with His suggestion that they should eat “His flesh”.

Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” John 6:52 NIV

This is one of the more challenging passages from the Gospels. What exactly does Jesus mean that His followers should “eat His flesh”? Let’s see if we can unpack this truth.

This chapter opens with Jesus feeding a huge crowd, and this same crowd pursuing Jesus the next morning hoping to receive another free meal. Jesus admonishes the crowd to desire “food” that is eternal and will never perish.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” John 6:26-27 NIV

This contrast between physical food and spiritual food sets the stage for His statement about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. In John 6, Jesus identifies Himself as this spiritual bread three different times (vs. 35,48, 51), and twice He emphasizes that faith(belief) is the key to salvation. (vs. 40, 47)

Jesus then compares Himself to the manna which was given to the Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus, like this manna, came down from heaven to give life. Furthermore, Jesus, unlike this manna, gives eternal life.

Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:49-50, 58 NIV

Thus, Jesus is establishing this metaphor that eating this “living bread” is equivalent to believing and having faith in Him. Let’s read today’s key verses again….

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:51, 53-58 NIV

To prevent being misunderstood, Jesus goes on to make it clear that He is speaking of spiritual matters.

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. John 6:63 NIV

Thus, to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus is to fully believe and to completely place our faith in Him. Jesus leaves no room for what some have called “easy believism” where it costs nothing to follow Him. Clearly, if one is willing to “eat the flesh” and “drink the blood” of Jesus, then this person is fully surrendered and committed to following Christ.

Questions to consider:
Are you, without any reservation, fully committed to Christ? Have you placed your faith in Him and no other?
What is holding you back from truly surrendering absolutely every part of your life to Him?

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