The Gospel of John: Come and See the Word Made Flesh

In our text, John 6:51-71, Jesus is comparing himself to the bread he fed them and the manna their ancestors ate. Jesus compares what is temporal with what is eternal and what is labored for with what is received. The people struggle to understand how he came down from heaven missing the offer of eternal life. Jesus announces that anyone who comes to him and believes, though they die, they will be raised on the last day. 

He ends this section with another statement that trips his audience up. He says, “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (v51) Jesus is explaining the incarnation, what John started the gospel with saying, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (1:14) The incarnation connects mankind to God, as Jesus is Son of Man and Son of God. His audience, now the Jews in the local Capernaum synagogue, debate how they can eat his flesh. 

Again the people miss the point of how believing in Jesus connects them spiritually to God. He says, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” (v56) Sounds like a Halloween movie, but Jesus is speaking figuratively not literally. Faith connects us to the Life Giver and life eternal.

Join us Sunday as we consider the connection we have with God through faith in Jesus.