January 23 Flesh and Blood

John 6:52-65 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”  59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”
 
THE truth is often very difficult to understand, isn’t it? This happens to each of us when someone will speak such truth, “You are prideful. You anger too easily. You do not listen. You always have to be right.” These are a few mentioned to me over the years. I was often like the Jews and he disciples, “Who are you to say these things?” Hopefully, I’ve learned some things from the hard truths. But to learn and change, I had to submit to, “I believe you.”
   Can you imagine hearing, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” And, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me.” From our viewpoint, we understand this in the Lord’s Supper. But it’s little wonder many people with Jesus that day were shocked! How could they grasp Jesus’ words? As with all hard truths, we keep our ears open. Whether is a loving spouse or friend correcting us or the Lord of Heaven teaching us, we put aside our own view to listen and learn.
   Be not a “grumbling” disciple, but be eager to hear all God’s teachings. He will clarify his words. This happened here in two ways. He taught his words were spiritual truth, “(The) words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”  And then he pointed to his eternal life. “What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?” When the disciples saw Jesus’ body broken, his blood shed, his body risen and his body ascended, the Savior’s teachings became absolutely clear to them. They believed. They changed. And they began to change the world.
   Seek the Lord’s truth. Know his words are eternity changing truth.
 
Prayer: Transform my mind, Lord, from “me” to “You.” Amen. 
 
 
 
Bob James
Working Every Day for the King of Kings
One With God
www.onewithgod.website