Mystery Meat
(John 6:51-58)
A Mystery.
Despite my attempts to articulate the meaning of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood, it is still cloaked in Mystery. It is hard to understand because it is only something that can be spiritually discerned. Those not of the Spirit will think what Jesus says is strange and weird. This is evidenced by how the Jews respond to Jesus’ teaching and even how his own disciples responded to his teaching (John 6:60). But those who have the Spirit from faith in Jesus will know what Jesus means and why it is important (John 6:63). Paul confirms this understanding by saying it this way, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14)."
Food For Thought.
But the Spirit helps us understand what Jesus says when He tells us to eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:56).
In Genesis 9:3-4, God declares to Noah that He has given him all living things as food for him and warns him not to eat anything that still has its "life" in it, meaning its blood. Later on, when God delivers the Law to his people, He expounds upon this warning of taking in blood by saying that anyone who eats the blood still in the meat, God will turn His face from him and will cast him out from the people. Fellowship and relationship are broken. (Lev. 17:10-11).
Then we learn that although the blood of Bulls and goats was required according to the Law, it did not atone for the people's sins, and God didn't take pleasure in those sacrifices (Hebrews 10:4). But of Himself, Jesus affirms that by His Sacrifice and by His blood, we will have life, and it will be sanctified (Hebrews 10:10).
So, for the Jews, Jesus teaching them to eat his flesh and drink his blood would have not only been confusing but also go against what they were commanded. However, it is enlightening to us who have the Spirit because we learn that the Law was given to keep them from drinking blood so that the people wouldn't unite themselves to the life of that blood. So that when Jesus appears, gives His life up in sacrifice, and sheds His own blood, we would then drink that blood to be united to Him and His Life. Jesus' blood does the opposite of the blood spoken of in the Law. Jesus' blood causes the Father's face to shine upon you, brings you into a relationship with Him, and establishes you as His people. This is why Jesus says, if you eat of my flesh, and drink of my blood, you abide in me and I in you (John 6:56).
Peace be with you!
- Pastor Bruce
