The Bread of Life: Christ's Body Given

The Living Bread from Heaven

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)

In the heart of this passage, Jesus presents Himself as the living bread. This is not a mere metaphor but a profound truth about His identity and mission. The bread He offers is His own flesh, given for the life of the world. This declaration echoes the earlier words in John 6:33, "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." Jesus is not speaking of physical sustenance but of a spiritual reality that brings eternal life.

The Struggle to Understand

The Jews, hearing these words, "strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" (John 6:52). Their struggle is not just with the literal understanding but with the acceptance of Jesus' divine mission. This echoes the division seen in John 10:19, "There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings." Such division often arises when the divine intersects with human understanding.

Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood

Jesus responds with even more challenging words: "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 6:53). Here, Jesus is not advocating for literal consumption but is speaking of a spiritual participation in His life and sacrifice. This is reminiscent of the institution of the Lord's Supper in Matthew 26:26, "Take, eat; this is my body." The eating and drinking symbolize a deep, abiding relationship with Christ.

The Greek word for "eat" here is phago ^G5315, which can mean to consume or partake. Jesus is inviting us to partake in His life, to internalize His teachings and sacrifice, much like the invitation in Revelation 2:17 to eat of the hidden manna.

Eternal Life and Resurrection

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:54). This promise of eternal life is not just future hope but a present reality. In John 6:39, Jesus assures us that it is the Father's will that He should lose nothing but raise it up at the last day. The promise of resurrection is a cornerstone of our faith, as seen in Galatians 2:20, where Paul speaks of living by faith in the Son of God.

Abiding in Christ

"He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." (John 6:56). This mutual indwelling is the essence of the Christian life. It is echoed in John 15:4, "Abide in me, and I in you." The Greek word meno ^G3306 for "dwell" or "abide" signifies a continuous, enduring presence. This abiding is not just a mystical union but a lived reality, as 1 John 3:24 affirms, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him."

The Doctrine of the Incarnation

In these verses, we encounter the profound mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh to give His life for the world. This aligns with the teaching in Hebrews 10:5, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me." The Incarnation is central to our understanding of Jesus' mission and the means by which He offers eternal life.

Application: Living in Union with Christ

How do we live out this profound truth today? First, we are called to a continual remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, much like the Lord's Supper reminds us of His body given for us. Secondly, we are invited to abide in Him daily, drawing life from His words and presence. This abiding transforms our hearts and minds, aligning us with His will and purposes.

In practical terms, this means seeking His presence in prayer, immersing ourselves in His Word, and living out His commandments in love and service to others. As we do so, we find the promise of John 14:23 fulfilled, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

A Call to Faith

As we conclude, let us hear Jesus' invitation anew: "This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6:58). This is a call to faith, to trust in the One who gives life eternal. May we respond with the words of Peter in John 6:68, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

Let us partake of this living bread, finding in Christ the nourishment for our souls and the assurance of life everlasting.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the living bread that is Jesus Christ. Help us to partake of His life and abide in His presence. May we find eternal life in Him and be raised up on the last day. Strengthen our faith as we live in union with Your Son. In Jesus' name, amen.