Words from the Rock
I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. . . . For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
John 6:53, 55–56 NLT
Imagine the horrified gasps that might have been heard when Jesus made this startling statement. Again, was he really telling them to eat his flesh and drink his blood? Or maybe they didn’t hear him right. Some listeners might have been so disgusted that they turned and hurried away. Others might have been so caught up in the sensation that they wanted more—similar to the way drivers slow down to gape at a nasty traffic accident. The reactions probably varied, but you can be sure Jesus got everyone’s attention when he spoke these words.
It was one thing for Jesus to call himself the Bread of Life and invite them to eat that bread. Perhaps they were even starting to understand this on some level. Now suddenly he’s telling them to eat his flesh and drink his blood. How can this be? What does it really mean?
Blood is a symbol of both life and death. And Jesus offers both life and death to everyone. He is inviting us to participate in his life by first participating in his death. He knows that his physical blood will soon be shed and that his earthly life will come to an end. He also knows that it’s only through his death that the entire human race will finally be reunited with God the Father, and it’s only through the spilling of his blood that he can offer them real life, eternal life.
Of course, his listeners can’t grasp this. Even his loyal disciples don’t get it. They don’t want Jesus to die. And they certainly don’t want to drink his blood. They’re just as confused as anyone. Maybe you feel confused too. Maybe it’s overwhelming to think about things like drinking Jesus’s blood. But remember, Jesus is speaking in spiritual terms. He is simply offering himself and his death as your ticket to eternal life. Blood equals life. But again, in order to receive it, you must be willing to accept it.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for this amazing gift of life. I know that the cost was Jesus’s death and his blood, and I am ready to embrace that. Thank you!
Amen.
Final Word
All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs.
Luke 12:30 TLB
Stone for the Journey
Jesus’s blood equals eternal life for me.