John 6:56-69
John 6:56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live through the Father, so also whoever eats me will live through me. 58 So this is the bread that has come down from heaven — it is not like the bread the fathers ate; they’re dead, but whoever eats this bread will live forever!” 59 He said these things as he was teaching in a synagogue in K’far-Nachum.
60 On hearing it, many of his talmidim said, “This is a hard word — who can bear to listen to it?” 61 But Yeshua, aware that his talmidim were grumbling about this, said to them, “This is a trap for you? 62 Suppose you were to see the Son of Man going back up to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life, 64 yet some among you do not trust.” (For Yeshua knew from the outset which ones would not trust him, also which one would betray him.) 65 “This,” he said, “is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has made it possible for him.”66 From this time on, many of his talmidim turned back and no longer traveled around with him. 67 So Yeshua said to the Twelve, “Don’t you want to leave too?” 68 Shim‘on Kefa answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the word of eternal life. 69 We have trusted, and we know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Complete Jewish Bible)
Life is difficult to deal with at times. We try, and we fail. We make mistakes and are judged. People blame and stay away even from those they love. Who said we have to judge? Who said we have to blame? But doesn't God's law demand such justice? Doesn't even death come as the final judgment on our lives?
But judgment and death are not the final word. In our gospel reading we hear the good news that Jesus offers us his flesh and blood to eat. He offers us his death and resurrection. Yes, death is difficult, but when we die with Jesus, we also get his resurrection! Jesus promises us his life and forgiveness to get us beyond judgment and death. The Spirit of Jesus gives us new life and calls us each day to live by trusting in him.
Merciful Father, your mercy in Jesus defeats our death. Your mercy in Jesus is given to us in the bread and wine of his Supper. As we eat his body and drink his blood, give us his resurrection. Give us trust in him. Amen.
Timothy Hoyer, '09
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lakewood, N.Y., and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Falconer, N.Y.
John 6:56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"
61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you?
62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
64 But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him.
65 And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.
67 So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (New Revised Standard Version).
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