Jesus speaks of himself as the Bread of Life in John 6, but adds that the bread he will supply is his flesh, and his flesh given for the life of the world. This is a plain reference to His sacrificial death on the Cross, and clearly points to the eucharist in the final verses of John 6: 52–59: “52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So 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. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day, 55 for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which the ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever. 59 He said these things while he was teaching in a synagogue at Capernaum.”
Once more the Jews, shocked by the word ‘flesh’, ask the question, How? Once more the question is met, not by explanation, but by reassertion and addition, this time by the addition of blood - You must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood! This emphasizes the death of Jesus, and points to the eucharist. John makes it clear, does he not, that his main thought is of the mission of Jesus from the Father, and of the reciprocal indwelling of Christ and the believer..
The next time you receive communion, give thought to what Jesus is giving you.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes” 1 Corinthians 11:26.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” Acts 2:42.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”
Revelation 3:20.
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