John 6:48-58
Summary for John 6:49-50: 6:49-50 a Jesus connected the manna of the Exodus with himself, then pointed out a major difference: The Israelites remained mortal and they all died, whereas the bread from heaven (Jesus himself) provides eternal life (6:47 b, 51 c, 58 d).6:51 e this bread ... is my flesh: The gift that brings life is now unveiled. On the cross, Jesus offered his flesh for the life of the world.
Summary for John 6:53-58: 6:53-58 f eat the flesh ... drink his blood: Jesus answered the question the people asked (6:52 g). His words hinted at the Lord’s Supper yet to come (see Luke 22:19 h). Since “flesh and blood” was a Jewish idiom for the whole person, Jesus might have been calling people to consume him fully by completely believing in him. Some Christian traditions see the bread as Christ’s literal flesh broken for us and the wine as his literal blood poured out for us. Others take the meaning in purely spiritual terms. Either way, receiving communion means no less than embracing Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice.
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