JESUS SPEAKS
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will live because of me.” (John 6: 53 – 56) Then in verse 60 we read, ‘Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?'” And further in verse 66 we read, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.”
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Jesus issues a proclamation requiring His followers to eat His body and drink His blood. Physically consuming human flesh and drinking a man’s blood were considered abominable acts which God would never ordain. And for this reason many of the disciples abruptly abandoned Him; foolishly renouncing their faith. However, had they patiently waited until the night before the crucifixion, their concerns would’ve been relieved. That evening, during the last supper, the Lord revealed that His seemingly cannibalistic assertion, was in fact, symbolic rather than literal. During the Last Supper the bread eaten and the wine consumed by the disciples represented His body and blood; a Christian practice known today as communion. If those foolish souls who abandoned Jesus had simply waited, their concerns would’ve been addressed and their doubts erased. Instead, they rejected the only faith that leads to eternal life.
Concerning faithfulness, most human beings are aware of the name Christopher Columbus. Still fewer are familiar with the struggles he endured during his journey to the new world. After nearly 31 days at sea the crew had become restless, believing they would perish before reaching any land. They therefore implored Columbus to turn back. Mutiny was a genuine concern. Some have even suggested that the crew was plotting to cast their leader into the sea. As the story goes, Columbus, yearning to salvage his flailing expedition, urged the men to give him 2 to 3 more days. He promised that if they hadn’t spotted land by then, he would submit to their desires and return to Spain. Two days later they encountered land. The new world had been officially discovered. Columbus reached the Americas because, even in the face of uncertainty and open rebellion, his faith remained unwavering.
Just as Columbus had discovered the new world, the bible also begs to be discovered; to be read and understood. During this process of enlightenment, many will encounter passages that can be initially confusing and difficult to comprehend. Certain questions will arise that can only be answered through continued study; but those answers will eventually be revealed. If we faithfully persist in His word, we will discover the fullness of the God’s truths. May we never give up or turn away; for in time we will know the beauty of every divine chapter and verse.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we set sail on a journey toward an eternal kingdom. As we travel through a sea of trouble, God’s word will sustain us; feeding us with courage and hope whenever we experience fear and uncertainty. Still, no matter which questions we might encounter, we must trust that in time, God will provide us with the answers; and that those answers will conquer our doubts and devour our fears. Continue in the scriptures, and God’s work will continue in You.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your wisdom, and for your Holy word. As we discover Your divine scriptures, may we never permit fleeting ignorance to create lasting doubt. We trust that eventually all we desire to know will be known. Give us a hunger to read Your word daily; that through revelation, we might draw closer to You and to our only Savior Jesus Christ. We love You Father, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 