Thursday 17 July 2014
- Bible Book:
- John
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” (v. 56)
Background
In John's Gospel a small number of miracles are seen as signsthat point to truths about Jesus. The significance of the sign isopened up in a discourse given by Jesus. This passage is part of alengthy discourse following the feeding of the 5,000 (
Jesus makes no attempt to answer the question: "How can this mangive us his flesh to eat?" (v. 52). Rather he responds byreassertion of his point and the addition of reference to hisblood: "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Sonof Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you" (v. 53).
It is difficult to read the words and not hear in them referenceto the Last Supper (which is not recounted in John's Gospel, but isin the others eg Luke 22:14-23) and the Church's continuingpractice of the Eucharist (Holy Communion).
The main thought running through these verses is of the missionof Jesus from the Father, and the reciprocal indwelling of Christin the believer: "Just as the living Father sent me, and I livebecause of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me"(v. 57).
To Ponder
- When Christian worship includes the Eucharist, believersreceive small amounts of bread and wine with the words "the body ofChrist" and "the blood of Christ". What images or thoughts do youhave in your minds as you receive the elements ofbread and wine?
- We need food (daily bread) to continue to live. What spiritualequivalent that nurtures your faith in God?