The Body and Blood of Jesus: Summary of John 6:41-70

by Teresa^(1,657) Bronze Star

Read John 6:41-70

Jesus continued to explain the differences between the Manna of their fathers, and Himself as the Bread from the Father to the Jews who were gathered. The Jews were angry and by the time Jesus finished, were quite confused.

Taken out of its complete context, verse 53 - 58 can be confusing, and come off sounding very much like the occult. This idea of eating the body of Jesus and drinking His blood, is one of many instances where we must take the whole of Scripture and allow it to interpret its meaning for us. Secondly, we must continue reading through verse 63 to determine that Jesus was not speaking literally, but metaphorically. It is true we must take the word of God literally, but in this, we must also recognize when the writers give us distinctions between a literal event and a metaphor or analogy to explain or describe an event. Jesus was the master at using analogies to preach and teach about salvation and the Kingdom of God.

Keep this in mind as you read and study this portion of Scripture.

Jesus not only told His listeners that He was the superior bread from heaven, but now He told them that they must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood in order to have eternal life. What?

He also said another interesting thing: No one can come to me unless the Father draws him. So does God pick and choose whom He calls? and what of those He doesn't call - are they damned?

This portion of Scripture raises a lot of questions - questions that should cause our hearts to search for the answers and not run the other way with discouragement as many did after Jesus finished speaking.

In summary, Jesus made several things clear:

We cannot come to Him unless the Father draws us.

We must eat of His body and drink of His blood.

We must believe in Him.

Ultimately, Jesus asks each of us the same question He asked many of the Jews that day:

"Does this offend you?"

I purposely did not reference Scriptures that answer many of the questions raised in this Scripture. It is my hope that you will join us in the discussion as we answer two fundamental questions regarding salvation, which will follow shortly.

1) What did Jesus mean by eating his body and drinking his blood?

2) Who does the Father draw.

This discussion might meet with some resistance from those who were raised/are Catholic. It is not intended to be argumentative, but it will address the Biblical aspects of this topic.

Until then, please share your initial thoughts and questions. Additionally, please share any new insights the previous lesson gave you.

Blessings to you!

Discussion Questions:

Article submitted Monday, July 04, 2011 & read 436 times.

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» left by Ralph Najera from Yucca Vly.CA. (305 days 11 hours ago.)

read these scriptures for question #1 proverbs 1:1-6;prov.8:6-9;prov.9:1-6;prov.13:1,2prov.4:13-17;prov.18:20,21;Isa.55:1-3;Gen.49:8-12;Deut.32:14.These scriptures help us understand verse 63.Have you ever heard the expression can you swallow that,when some one has told a lie and you know the true story. your dad.

» left by Teresa^(1,657) (303 days ago.)

Hi Dad, thank you for adding these Scriptures you mentioned a few that are in the discussion questions.

Along with others, to show that if we were to literally eat and drink - that would go against everything God teaches in the Old Testament and also the Hebrews passage about dying once.

He did not have to die over and over like the animals did. And to say that it is the literal body and blood is to crucify Jesus over and over.

Blessings! Love, Teresa

» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (301 days 17 hours ago.)

Hi Teresa, Some argue with me about my answer to question #2, but my understanding of Scripture tells me that all will be drawn, but not all will accept. Jn 12:32 Jesus tells us that if He is lifted off the earth will draw all men unto Himself. And in Jn 3:14ff Jesus says just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, so must He be lifted up, and whosoever believes will be saved (my paraphrase). So praise the Lord that Jesus was lifted up on the cross. I see this as salvation being provided for all (not just a select group), and all have the ability to accept Christ; however, not all will. Thank you for your articles. Blessings, Bart

» left by Teresa^(1,657) (298 days 22 hours ago.)

Hi Bart.

It's always great to hear from you! Thank you for sharing. I agree and we will be looking at this topic a little deeper in the discussions questions which will be posted later this week. Blessings to you!

We appreciate your comments!

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