THE STORY OF JESUS: John 6:52-59
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.” (John 6:56)
These words of Jesus are difficult for many to swallow.
According to Jewish tradition, the manna symbolized the Torah.
As the people lived on manna, Jews were to live on the ‘word of God’.
Jesus is contrasting Himself with the Torah here, as He does elsewhere.
He is using ‘eating’ and ‘drinking’ to symbolize taking in God’s message.
Unless we devour God’s message in Jesus, we will not have life in us.
“When your words came, I ate them… my joy and my heart’s delight.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
The message of Jesus is food for the soul, it speaks to our deepest needs.
Yet in my experience many christians do not devour Jesus’ message.
They love the psalms, and pick ‘life verses’ here and there.
But they do not walk with Jesus through the gospels, to learn as His students.
As a Jesus follower, Jesus’ words are my joy and delight.
I don’t always understand them, but then I ‘dig in’ until I do.
Are you actually spending time listening to Jesus, and learning from Him?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You have the words of life. Help me to keep coming back for more, and to keep chewing and drinking what You say, until I taste the rich meaning You have for me!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Live.
The israelites lived when God gave them manna in the desert. He was and still is the Source of life.
Christ Jesus gave Himself as a living sacrifice so that I can live, truly live. But that life is only a possibility if I accept Him as my Lord and Saviour. Then I can truly live as His Kingdom worker. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Without Him I die in his life and forevermore. Bu in Him, being His disciple/follower I have life forevermore. His Word continues to feed me and direct me in my pilgrim’s progress.
Guide me, O Thou great *Jehovah, [*Redeemer]
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliv’rer, strong Deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
Lord, I trust Thy mighty power,
Wondrous are Thy works of old;
Thou deliver’st Thine from thralldom,
Who for naught themselves had sold:
Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer
Sin and Satan and the grave,
Sin and Satan and the grave.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.