John 6:65-68
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
One of the more complex and controversial concepts in New Testament study is the sacrament we call communion. There is something unnerving about the idea of ingesting another human. It’s reminiscent of cannibalism or some other strange religious ceremony. So when Jesus offered his body and blood as a means of salvation, it was met with complete confusion, utter disgust and abandonment by most of his followers. The concept was too hard for them to comprehend.
In truth, for many of us, it hasn’t gotten any easier. What we’ve done with this sacred expression is reduce it to a religious ritual that we rush through to placate the Spirit of the Lord so we don’t get in trouble with God. In our hearts we are just eating juice and crackers, so we’re good with that. But I wonder, if we really thought we were digesting the actual body of Christ, could we handle that thought in our hearts and minds?
Clearly, the statement of Jesus to physically take a bite out of him was never the offer. That certainly would have been difficult to imagine. But his offer, from a spiritual perspective may be even more challenging. Let’s see if we can follow his leading this morning.
As we review our scripture we find Jesus had just finished a lengthy discussion with a large group of followers that had experienced the miracle of the fish and the loaves. Remember, Jesus fed 5000 with only 2 fish and 5 loaves? Those people were prepared to make Jesus their king because of what they knew he could do for them. But they weren’t quite ready to make him their Lord and Savior, at least not until he was further approved of God. They remembered Moses had given them manna that fell from the sky to fill their bellies as proof of his calling. They wanted to know what was Jesus prepared to do.
And that’s where it all went “south”. Little did they know, Jesus is the Bread of Life and Living Water. He is the embodiment of the manna from heaven. He is the Sacrificial Lamb that was slain for our redemption. While they were seeking for what more tricks Jesus could do, they missed the revelation concerning who he was.
Honestly, I sometimes wonder have we also missed who he is. I know we have these spectacular liturgies and grand sacraments pledging our allegiance to the cross and all Christ has done for us. I’m aware that we have made every possible adjustment in our communion service to accommodate all those that want to share in the celebration. We remember Jesus. We praise him. But after all is said and done, do we truly expect the elements of his body and blood to change us?
His early followers couldn’t separate the expectations of the natural from the proof of the spiritual. Without physical proof, they failed to see the value in having Jesus as their Christ. What’s the benefit of a Savior that doesn’t save you when you want him too?
As cold-hearted and selfish as that statement sounds, it’s all too real. And relevant. Although we have become more subtle and sophisticated in our demands of Christ, don’t we often have the same attitudes? I hear it in our prayers. I feel it in our worship. But most of all, I see it on our faces when things don’t go our way. I see the doubt, disappointed, disillusionment and even moments of regret in the countenance of those that fail to receive what they wanted from the Lord. And that’s sad because everything you ever needed from Jesus is still available to you. Where? It’s in him.
Dear people of God, check out Peter’s reply to Jesus when asked if he was leaving. Peter spoke from a place in his heart all of us must get to this morning. He spoke from relationship. He didn’t follow Jesus for the fish and loaves. He wasn’t following Jesus because he understood all the mysteries, signs and wonders. He wasn’t with him because he was looking for healing, money, fortune or fame. He was there because only Jesus had the words of eternal life. And because Jesus was his friend. Once we realize that everything we need is already in Christ, we can say like the saints of old, “Believe I”ll Run On See What The End”s Gonna Be”.
God Bless
