Thoughts on the Gospel of John (30) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

The Jews therefore quarrelled among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, 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 eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
John 6:52-55.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (30)
Jesus first spoke of the manna, the wilderness food of the people of Israel, then proceeded to the bread of life, a type of Himself who had become Man. He then directed His listeners' attention to His flesh that He would give for the life of the world. That caused great irritation and even dispute: "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked, clearly restricting their conception to visible material things.

The Lord left their question unanswered and stressed His statement about the flesh with the words, "Most assuredly." He also added that they should "drink His blood". The separation of flesh and blood undoubtedly symbolises that death has occurred.

Christ's incarnation (the bread) and His death (the flesh and blood) are given here as a test of faith. Those who accept the incarnation of the Son of God by faith will similarly accept His atoning death. Such persons alone have eternal life.

It is not enough simply admiring Jesus' perfect life and endeavouring to copy it, however sincerely. We must first believe that Jesus is the Son of God come from heaven, and secondly that Christ's death was not just a martyr's death, but God's way of bringing about atonement for our sins.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12 · Proverbs 14:13-25