Confusion of The Body And Blood of Christ

John 6:41–59
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Confusion

The Jews assumed that by virtue of their national origin and their religious works they were assured a place in the Kingdom. They thought they could manipulate the Messiah into adapting to their conception of the Kingdom. Quite the opposite was true. Entrance into the Kingdom is not ultimately a matter of our choice. It is God who draws us to Himself (vv. 41-44). Christ described what it means to be drawn to Him (vv. 45-47). When we have come to Christ it is because of God’s love for us. He has drawn us to himself! The Jews knew what Moses had written, but they did not really believe it. The Bread of Jesus is superior to the Manna of Moses. Jesus’s Bread sustains us spiritually for all eternity (vv. 48-51). The Bread is Jesus’s flesh. Jesus was referring to His vicarious death on the cross that would provide life for the world. But the Jews were still thinking about physical food (v. 52).

Christ complicates the situation further by adding “except ye … drink his blood” (vv. 53-55). Since the Jews were forbidden to drink blood (Lev 7:26–27), this additional statement must have added insult to injury. However, the Jews misunderstood. Leviticus 17:11 clearly states that life is in the blood. Accepting the sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ is the basis for eternal life. One who partakes of Christ enjoys a mutual abiding relationship with Christ. He remains in Christ, and Christ remains in him. The Father “remains” in the Son (14:10), the Spirit “remains” on Jesus (1:32), and believers “remain” in Jesus and He in them (v. 56). The implications of this “remaining” are many. A believer enjoys intimacy with and security in Jesus. Just as Jesus has His life from the Father, so believers have life because of Jesus (vv. 56-58).

Jesus gave this discourse on the Bread of Life in the synagogue in Capernaum (v. 59). He often spoke in Jewish synagogues, where men had opportunities to give expositions and exhortations (Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-28; Acts 13:15-42).

Application

I need to take the Lord at His Word and not be confused by what I think or by what others say. If I follow culture, I will get culture’s results, but if I follow the Bible, I will get Biblical results.

John 6:41-59 (English Standard Version)

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