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56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:56-59 New International Version Bible)
I had an aunt whose home always a huge pan of flour tortillas. She would arise every morning at an early hour and hand make those delicious pillows of heaven known as the tortilla de harina, which es español for flour tortilla. She would cover them with a towel and for most of the day they stayed soft if not warm. She also kept some government issue butter in another container that did not keep the butter cold and usually was quite bitter from being spoiled. I came to think, as a child, that margarine, which my parents only bought, was superior to butter, not factoring in the need for refrigeration of butter and margarine. I was holding to that belief when on our first grocery trip as husband and wife, Nellie suggested our buying Falfurrias butter, named for her birthplace, and quite a delicious butter! I resisted but beng deeply in newlywed love, agreed and was shocked that butter does taste better than margarine! But the star of this passage is the flour tortilla, or the bread of life.
Jesus in making His teaching on what He offered, speaks of His believers eating and drinking his flesh and blood, which years later got the early Christians in trouble with the Roman government which labeled His believers as cannibals. Jesus, of course, was speaking spiritually, but He does not make that obvious in this passage. Imagine being in that crowd or in that congregation as was the case in the synagogue in Capernaum. "What in the world?" may have been in your mind. "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Asked those there. Jesus has to say, "Just wait until you see me ascending to where I came from! What will you think then? You will realize that I did come from another realm with which you are not yet acquainted!"
Jesus presents a profound teaching that challenges both the understanding and commitment of His followers. He speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which symbolizes an intimate relationship with Him, a dependence on Him for spiritual sustenance. This teaching is not merely about physical nourishment but about a deep, transformative connection with Jesus Himself. Yes, there are still many who do not quite understand this. Please do not be among those!
Many found this teaching hard to accept, as it contradicted their expectations and comfort zones. They struggled to grasp the spiritual meaning behind His words. Please note that John 6:66 has what is one of the saddest and hard-hitting verses of the Bible: "From that time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him." Sigh. Yes, some walked out on Jesus. Only the brave and the few, stayed loayl. Yet, for those who are willing to look beyond the surface, Jesus reveals the essence of true life and sustenance found in Him alone.
Peter’s response encapsulates the heart of the matter: despite the difficulty of Jesus’ teaching, he recognizes that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Peter’s faith is not shaken by the hard teachings but rather strengthened by the realization that there is no other source of spiritual truth and fulfillment.
PRAYER: Awesome Father, thank You for the profound truth of Jesus’ teaching and for revealing to us the depth of Your love through Him. We confess that sometimes Your words challenge us and push us beyond our comfort zones. Help us to embrace the hard teachings with faith, trusting that Your wisdom is greater than our understanding. Strengthen our relationship with Jesus, that we may continually feed on Him as the Bread of Life and find in Him the source of eternal nourishment. Guide us in our journey of faith, and may we always seek You above all else. Grant us peace and comfort, but above all, Thy will be done! In Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Today, reflect on how you are engaging with Jesus as the Bread of Life. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to accept His teachings or where you feel challenged? Take a moment to pray and seek His guidance in these areas. As you go through your day, make an effort to embrace His words and teachings more deeply, allowing them to transform your understanding and relationship with Him. Reach out to someone you trust to share your reflections and to pray together for strength and insight.
I love you and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
