Slices
Prepare
Do we sometimes read Jesus’ words without realising how challenging they are? As you read today’s passage, put yourself in the minds of those hearing it for the first time. How do you react?
Bible passage
41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ 42 They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I came down from heaven”?’
43 ‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered. 44 ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live for ever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.’
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’
53 Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 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 for ever.’ 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Explore
The Jewish leaders are understandably perplexed. How can Jesus be bread from heaven? They know his family tree. Who does he think he is? Jesus does not dial down his language. He becomes more extreme. Not only is he the bread of life, but those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will be raised up at the last day. Cannibalism, eating human flesh, is one of the most horrific of human acts, and to the Jews, Jesus’ language was distasteful. For Christians, we might recall Jesus’ words at the Last Supper (Luke 22:17–19). The bread that Jesus breaks is his body given for the sins of the world. John doesn’t record the Last Supper in his Gospel, but could he be alluding to it here?
CS Lewis famously wrote that anyone who said what Jesus said was either insane, a criminal, or was telling the truth. Jesus won’t allow his listeners to treat him as a wise rabbi from Nazareth whose parents are known and respected. Everyone who hears his voice is forced into a decision. Do we believe he is who he says he is (v 51)?
Respond
What does it mean for you to feed on Jesus? This may mean taking Holy Communion, or an inner disposition of faith and obedience. How might you be nourished by his life this week?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Chronicles 28,29; Psalms 70,71
Pray for Scripture Union
The team in the north are excited about the growing number of Faith Guides in the region. Pray for them as they seek to develop new Faith Guide holidays where children and young people can continue to take steps towards a deeper faith in Jesus.
Reavealing Jesus to the 95
It's estimated that 95% of children and young people in England and Wales aren't in church and the task of reaching them is huge! But so too is the opportunity!
The Revealing Jesus Mission Framework is designed to help your church journey into faith with the 95.
Find out how Scripture Union can support you on that journey.
