INGESTING JESUS -- Monday: New Series --
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." (John 6:63)
The Word of God reminds us that "Christ" is "our Passover," and was "sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). The clear reference is to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The evening of their departure, they were to kill a lamb, apply its blood to the door posts, and consume it in a solemn meal.
At this point we touch upon a vital aspect of salvation. When Jesus spoke of this matter, His words were characterized by the greatest solemnity and blessing. "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh. The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? Jesus therefore said to them, 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 yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever" (John 6:51-58).
This was a highly offensive word to Christ's listeners. They equated His words with cannibalism, and Jesus did nothing to change their minds. The way Jesus stated the case appeared to justify the conclusion of the people. Christ uses the word "flesh" five times in John 6:51-56). All five references use the Greek word "sarx." There is no question about what that word meant to the people. "Flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit] . . . " (Strong's). From an academic point of view, there is not an etymologist in the world who can make the word mean anything else.
The term "blood" comes from a word meaning "blood, literally (of men or animals)." The word "eat" comes from a word meaning "to eat, meat." The second meaning is even more precise. " . . . the idea of a crunching sound; to gnaw or chew, i.e. (generally) to eat."
This text cannot be comprehended etymologically, or from the standpoint of language expertise. Whatever value may be found in "the original language" is all thrown to the ground in this text. An understanding of the ceremonies of Law, instituted by God to foreshadow coming realities, is necessary – and a good heart can make the association.
The clear reference is to the eating of the sacrifices of old. Christ's hearers did not make the connection, and, because of the hardness of their hearts, He made no further effort to clarify the matter to them.
These disheartening words are written concerning the impact of Christ's words upon the hearers. "After this many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him" (John 6:66, NIV). They were offended by His word, and wanted nothing more to do with Him. It appears that this remains a dividing point among professed followers of Jesus. Myriads are willing to follow a routine, make a profession, and subscribe to a creed in the name of Christ. They are not, however, willing to imbibe His Person. They have no desire to have their lives "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). But God will have no such arrangement!
Suffice it to say, this is one of our Lord's most serious words. Although it is rare to hear the text proclaimed, it is an essential part of the faith life. Unless a person ingests the Son of God, there is no hope of possessing eternal life. Both Scripture and a "exercised" spiritual sense (Heb 5:14) confirm this truth.
Your familiarity with the spiritual pulse of the Christian community should confirm the seriousness of the situation. It is exceedingly rare to find a person who is living in a vibrant fellowship with Christ – ingesting His Person, and partaking of the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4).
Aloofness from God and salvation from sin cannot be put together. Let it be clear, we were saved from the guilt and power of sin in order to partake of Christ. If that partaking does not take place, there can be no participation in the great salvation. Further, that partaking is a continual process, and is contingent upon keeping our confidence in Him. "For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb 3:14).
Jesus has spoken with unmistakable clarity on this matter. He has not done so to condemn us, but to graciously inform us of the manner of salvation.
To ingest Jesus is to become like Him. It is to have Him dwelling in our heart by faith, and to grow – experience advancement in being conformed to His image, as God has appointed (Rom 8:29). There is no salvation apart from this process – none at all!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a salvation that puts eternal life within our reach.