What does "eats My flesh and drinks My blood" symbolize in John 6:56? Key Verse “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.” (John 6:56) Immediate Context • Jesus has just fed the five thousand (John 6:1-14). • Crowds seek more signs; Jesus redirects them to the “food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). • He declares Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:35) and contrasts perishable manna with His imperishable flesh (John 6:48-51). • Verse 56 sits within a longer statement (John 6:53-58) emphasizing abiding union with Christ. What the Phrase Does Not Mean • Cannibalistic literalism—Jesus never promoted physical consumption of human flesh or blood. • Merely ritual observance—The language surpasses a simple reference to the Lord’s Supper, though communion illustrates the truth. Rich Old-Testament Backdrop • Passover lamb: eaten for deliverance (Exodus 12). • Manna: daily life-sustaining bread (Exodus 16). • Blood atonement: “life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus weaves all three images together. Symbolic Meaning Summarized 1. Personal appropriation of Christ’s sacrifice • “Eats” and “drinks” portray receiving Him internally—trusting, relying, taking Him in. • Salvation is not academic; it is experiential (John 1:12). 2. Ongoing, life-sustaining union • Present-tense verbs imply continual action. • Comparison: vine and branches “remain” (John 15:4-5). • His indwelling life nourishes believers daily. 3. Participation in His atoning blood • Drinking the blood references accepting the life He poured out at Calvary (Hebrews 9:14). • It satisfies God’s righteous requirement and grants forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7). 4. Covenant fellowship • Ancient covenants were sealed with shared meals (Genesis 31:54). • By “eating” and “drinking,” believers enjoy covenant intimacy with the Lord (Revelation 3:20). Supporting Scriptures • Isaiah 55:1-2 — invitation to freely partake of what truly satisfies. • 1 Corinthians 10:16 — “The cup of blessing… is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” • 1 John 5:11-12 — life is in the Son; whoever has Him has life. Practical Takeaways • Receive Christ personally—mental assent is insufficient; embrace Him as life. • Maintain daily dependence—feed on His Word and Spirit just as the body needs bread and water. • Rest in secure union—“remains in Me, and I in him” guarantees continual fellowship now and forever. |
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