Eat My Flesh and Drink my Blood John 6:48-58
Jesus could likely have not said anything more offensive to the human mind , especially the Jewish mind, than this in John 6:48-58. It occasioned the leaving of 70+ disciples , prompting Jesus to ask the closest 12 if they were leaving too. However, it was the custom of teachers in that day to teach by making mystical and dark sayings to prompt critical thinking . Socrates (c. 400 BC) used this so often that it is called the Socratic Method. However as you down through the passage you realize that Jesus never asked us to eat and drink of Him literally, but spiritually. He was speaking of His words and teachings as His flesh ( v63), and the coming Spirit as His Blood life ( see John 4:14; 7:37-39). We need His doctrine to guide us, but far more, His Spirit to cleanse, energize , keep, and empower us ( II Timothy 1:14). The Lord’s table does not literally fulfill this , but amply symbolizes these two treasures we have: Jesus Christ’s holiness within ( resulting in an holy life without)and power within.
The Curse Undone
Ezekiel, among many of the Old and New Testament prophets , foretold a day when the Messiah would regather Israel and the believing of all nations of the world and form a new world order of peace, justice,health, and worship of Jehovah,who is preincarnate Jesus Christ.Compare Isaiah 44:6;48:12 with Revelation 1:8. Here the curse of Genesis 3:14-19 is undone and the world will revel in a new found prosperity where neither war nor disease will consume national budgets. Yet in Jesus Christ the curse is lifted too. He nailed it to the Cross,and for all who truly become one of His children through forgiveness and faith in His Blood, there is no curse to those “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” ( Romans 8:28). The gates of hell do not prevail against the church, and all power is given to Jesus Who empowers us and calls us to serve.
Looking to Him Who loved us, Brother Warren Jones
Fear God and Keep His commandments Ecclesiastes 12: 13
Such are the closing words of the preacher Solomon in Ecclesiastes.. and just before you agree with many commentators that he spoke what was best under the Law, but only Love is the watchword under grace, please let me give you a story. “Belinda” loves “Gerry” ( not real people) with all of her heart. He was her first love and all of her dreams included Gerry. She married him with the brightest of hopes.He was a military guy, disciplined, and destined for high ranks. But one day his closet drinking problem went public. Not even Linda had known.It was a shock to her. She has tried for years now to help him reform, but to no avail. She still loves him, but that love is always dampened by the thought that there may be other secrets too. Can love win the day?
Can love be the key to solve this problem? Love can suffer through, but love cannot solve this. Only the fear of a holy God keeps us true, honest, of good report, humble, and transparent when temptations pull another way.
Plant the fear of God in the garden of your life and love will grow well and bear fruit beside it. John 15:10