The All Consuming Jesus

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. — John 6:52-59

So I am unsure how this moment didn't result in a riot.

And for those of you just jumping in the Daily Devo with me, this might be weird if you haven't read the last few days of devotions.

To be clear. Jesus is not asking us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. The words flesh and blood are metonymies which are stand-in words referring to spiritual sustenance. We learn here that this spiritual sustenance is provided by Jesus and in Jesus. This means he is the one bringing spiritual sustenance to the world, and he is the spiritual sustenance. He is both the messenger of life and the life.

So what Jesus is telling them is if they want real and lasting sustenance, it will be found in something other than food and drink. That's temporary. Jesus even points to the manna God gave the people in the desert who were dead. His point was natural provision is going to do nothing for you.

This means that Jesus is trying to give them the best sustenance. Something that satisfies. A more satisfying meal. And the way you consume this meal is not with your mouth. It's with your heart, mind, and soul.

This is not a one-time passing belief in Jesus. This is not a casual belief that is exhibited only on Sunday mornings. This is not belief only in a Savior who saves but a Lord who leads. This is an all the time, all-consuming meal that we enjoy in full belief regardless of the circumstances that come our way. It satisfies when were hungry. It satisfies when we lose our jobs. It satisfies when a marriage falls apart. It satisfies us when we are facing a life-threatening illness. It satisfies when we are down and out, and no one else is around. It is a consuming belief in Jesus, who completely satisfies the soul.

Do you want this meal? Then consume Jesus and let him consume you.

ASK THIS: Do you want this meal?

DO THIS: Consume Jesus and let him consume you.

PRAY THIS: God, turn my non-belief into belief. Turn my partial beliefs into complete beliefs. Consume me.

PLAY THIS: This I Believe.