Living Bread from Heaven (John 6:41-59)

May 15, 2022 • David Schrock • John 6:41–59

Cannibalism. Vampirism. And plain old weird-ism.

Any one of these -isms could be applied to Jesus’s words in John 6:53–54, which read

“Truly, truly, 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 feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

What does this verse mean? Is it literal? Are the ancient accusations that Christians are cannibals true? Or are Jesus’s words mere metaphor? And if metaphorical, what is the meaning behind the metaphor?

This Sunday, we will answer those questions, to show that Jesus is not inviting vampirism (a concern that I recently heard from a Lyft driver), nor is he calling for his followers to be Cannibals. Instead, he is explaining how his followers must come to him and believe in him and the death he died on the cross.

Truly, if anyone wants to be in Christ and to have Christ in him, they must “eat” his flesh and “drink” his blood. This visceral teaching indicates how close our spiritual union with Christ is, and how our spiritual with Christ depends upon the blood of his cross.

To prepare for Sunday, read John 6. You may also find Numbers 9 and Isaiah 54 two important chapters for understanding Jesus’s words. Let’s pray that God gives us an appetite for Christ, because in fact, our Heavenly Father has prepared a banqueting table in the death and resurrection of his Son. May all who are hungry come and feed on him—the Bread of Life.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
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Discussion & Response Questions: John 6:41-59
Why do the Jews grumble? What does this reveal about their understanding of who Jesus is? (vv. 41-42)
Consider Jesus’ instruction in verses 41-51. How does Jesus address their grumbling?
What argument is Jesus making from the Old Testament?
What is he revealing about himself?
Notice how grumbling turns to arguing (v. 52). How will this question be answered?
Consider Jesus’ words in verses 53-58. What does he repeat from earlier?
What does Jesus emphasize in this teaching?
What do these teachings reveal about who Jesus is? What do they reveal about his mission? What do they reveal about the Son’s relationship to the Father in regard to his mission?
Why is Jesus called the living bread?
How does the Father’s relationship to the Son connect with Jesus being living bread?
What does it mean to feed on Jesus’ flesh and drink his blood? How does this go sideways with the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation?
How should we respond to Jesus?
What do we learn about our own radical dependence on God’s grace?
What do we learn about the gospel and its defense today?

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