Why John 6 proves Jesus was NOT speaking metaphorically or symbolically. 1. The chapter starts with 2 miracles that defy nature The multiplication of the loaves and fishes Jesus walking on water He changed the material nature of these things to allow these things to happen. Why would the inspired writer put these things first in this chapter? 2. The people believed in Him as a result of his signs (remember that signs point beyond themselves to something important and/or greater) 3. When the people followed him, Jesus challenged their motives and pointed them from having their bellys filled to seeking food for their souls. (John 6:26-27) The OLD Manna (which was miraculous) is LESS than the NEW Manna. Ordinary bread cannot be greater than the MIRACULOUS old manna. 4. In John 6:47 Jesus said He who believes has eternal life. BUT WHAT DID HE WANT US TO BELIEVE? 5. From 6:48 onward, Jesus insists that HE is the bread that came down from Heaven and that we MUST eat His flesh and drink His blood to have life in us and be RAISED on the last day. 6. That is where his FOLLOWERS started grumbling and stopped believing. John 6:52 ¶ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 7. But Jesus did not back down. IN fact, He reinforced His teaching with an OATH! John 6:53 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say unto you: except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. John 6:54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; John 6:55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. John 6:56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 8. But the response from his DISCIPLES? John 6:60 ¶ When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (they believed in Him and followed him UNTIL this teaching!) 9. But Jesus still didnt back down. They either believe his words as he told them he must, or they didnt. 10. John 6:64 For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. John 6:65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” John 6:66 ¶ Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. NOTE: in verse 64 it says Jesus knew who would not believe (not believe in him). What did they refuse to believe? They were fine until the eating of his flesh and blood came up. NOTE: in verse 65 Jesus makes clear that the requisite belief requires SUPERNATURAL FAITH (from GRACE) to believe his words. NOTE: Because his DISCIPLES didnt like THAT teaching, they walked away. 11. He let them walk away. Either He meant what he said and they just didnt like it OR He let them walk based on a misunderstanding. What perfect teacher would let them walk away on misunderstanding him with out correcting them? He NEVER did that before in ALL of scripture. 12. Jesus not only let them walk, He challenged the 12 apostles faith in His words: John 6:67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” John 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.” NOTE: Peter and the rest stayed b/c only HE had the words of eternal life. NOTE: Judas unbelief and betrayal of Jesus is directly tied in with His Eucharistic discourse. If the words Jesus speaks are spirit and life, why do we believe in Jesus but not in His words on the Eucharist? Will we stand with Peter or with Judas and the others that walked away?
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 23:23:58 +0000
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