John 6:56-69 | The Bread Of Eternal Life | Lectionary bible reading

Douglas Brown, Revised Common Lectionary readings

17 Aug 202102:05

Summary

TLDRIn this profound script, Jesus delivers a challenging teaching on the bread of eternal life, urging his followers to partake in his flesh and blood for everlasting life. His words, delivered in a Jewish place of worship in Capernaum, perplex many disciples, leading to a loss of faith among some. Despite the grumbling, Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith and the role of the Holy Spirit. Peter's unwavering response to Jesus' inquiry about leaving him, affirms the disciples' belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the source of eternal life.

Takeaways

🍞 The metaphor of 'bread of eternal life' is central to the discourse, symbolizing spiritual nourishment and eternal existence through faith in Jesus.
🍷 The act of 'eating flesh and drinking blood' is a metaphor for a deep, transformative union with Jesus, indicative of a spiritual communion.
👨‍🦳 The reference to 'the living father' underscores the divine origin and authority of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the eternal nature of life received from God.
🌅 The 'bread from heaven' is contrasted with the manna of the ancestors, highlighting the everlasting life promised through Jesus compared to the temporal sustenance of the past.
🤔 The disciples' struggle to understand these teachings is evident, showing the complexity and the spiritual depth required for comprehension.
🌐 Jesus' teaching in Capernaum, a Jewish place of worship, signifies the importance of the setting in reinforcing the religious and cultural context of his message.
🤯 The disciples' grumbling reflects the human reaction to challenging spiritual truths, indicating a barrier to faith for some.
💭 Jesus' awareness of his disciples' thoughts and the eventual betrayal foreshadows the narrative of his crucifixion and the role of Judas.
🌀 The emphasis on the Spirit as the giver of life highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual transformation and the importance of divine influence.
🚫 The refusal of some disciples to have faith in Jesus illustrates the voluntary nature of faith and the personal choice to accept or reject Jesus' teachings.
🔑 Jesus' statement about coming to him only through the Father's will suggests predestination and divine guidance in the journey of faith.
🛑 The disciples' departure after Jesus' words demonstrates the divisive nature of his teachings and the commitment required to follow him.
🙏 Peter's declaration of faith and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah represents the unwavering belief and loyalty of the remaining disciples.

Q & A

What is referred to as 'the bread of eternal life' in the script?
-The 'bread of eternal life' is a metaphor for Jesus' flesh, as per the script, symbolizing spiritual nourishment and eternal life through faith in Jesus.
What is the significance of eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood according to the script?
-In the script, eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood symbolizes a deep spiritual union with Jesus, leading to eternal life.
Who is described as the 'living father' in the script?
-The 'living father' mentioned in the script refers to God, who is the source of life and sent Jesus to earth.
What did Jesus mean when he said 'the bread that comes down from heaven'?
-The phrase 'the bread that comes down from heaven' is a reference to Jesus himself, who is described as the spiritual sustenance that grants eternal life.
Why did some of Jesus' disciples find his teachings hard to understand?
-Jesus' disciples found his teachings hard to understand because of the metaphorical and spiritual nature of his words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
What was the reaction of Jesus' disciples to his teachings in the Jewish place of worship in Capernaum?
-Many of Jesus' disciples were disturbed by his teachings, with some saying it was too hard to understand and others grumbling.
What did Jesus mean by 'the spirit is the one who gives life'?
-Jesus meant that it is the Holy Spirit that imparts spiritual life and understanding, beyond human capability.
Why did Jesus say that some of his disciples refused to have faith in him?
-Jesus knew from the beginning who would have faith in him and who would betray him, indicating that faith is a matter of individual choice and divine knowledge.
What did Jesus imply when he said 'you cannot come to me unless the father makes you want to come'?
-Jesus implied that divine will and desire from God, the father, are necessary for individuals to seek and follow him.
How did Jesus' words affect his disciples?
-Jesus' words led to a division among his disciples, with many turning away and only the twelve remaining committed to him.
What was Simon Peter's response to Jesus' question about whether the disciples would leave him?
-Simon Peter affirmed their faith in Jesus, stating that they believe he is the Holy One of God and that his words give eternal life.

Outlines

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🍞 The Eucharistic Discourse

In this paragraph, Jesus delivers a profound teaching on the Eucharist, stating that consuming His flesh and blood symbolizes unity with Him, promising eternal life to those who partake. He mentions that the bread from heaven offers everlasting life, contrasting it with the manna that the Israelites ate, which did not prevent their death. The setting is a Jewish synagogue in Capernaum, where Jesus' words challenge His disciples, leading many to doubt and question His teachings. Jesus acknowledges the disciples' grumbling and explains that the Spirit gives life, and human understanding is insufficient. He also reveals that He knew who would believe in Him and who would betray Him, emphasizing that faith comes from the Father's will. The paragraph concludes with Jesus' assertion that only those who are drawn by the Father can come to Him, resulting in many disciples deserting Him. However, Peter affirms his faith, recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Eternal Life

Eternal life refers to a state of existence that is everlasting and never-ending. In the context of the video, it is associated with the spiritual promise that by partaking in the 'flesh and blood' of Jesus, believers are granted eternal life. This concept is central to the theme of the video, illustrating the promise of everlasting life through faith in Jesus.

💡Flesh and Blood

In the script, 'flesh and blood' is a metaphorical reference to the body and life force of Jesus Christ. It is used to convey the idea of a deep spiritual connection and unity with Jesus, which is believed to lead to eternal life. The disciples are told that by 'eating his flesh and drinking his blood,' they become one with him, symbolizing a profound spiritual bond.

💡Oneness

Oneness in this context denotes a state of unity or a merging of identities. The video emphasizes the concept that through consuming the 'bread of eternal life' and the 'flesh and blood' of Jesus, believers achieve oneness with him. This is a key element of the message, suggesting a deep spiritual connection that transcends the physical realm.

💡Living Father

The term 'Living Father' is used to describe God in a personal and intimate way, emphasizing the life-giving and nurturing aspect of the divine. In the video, Jesus mentions that he was sent by the 'Living Father,' highlighting the divine origin of his mission and the life-giving power that comes from God.

💡Bread from Heaven

The 'Bread from Heaven' is a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and eternal life. In the script, it is contrasted with the physical bread that the ancestors ate, which did not grant them eternal life. Instead, the bread that comes down from heaven, symbolized by Jesus, is said to provide everlasting life to those who partake in it.

💡Disciples

Disciples in the video are followers and students of Jesus. They are depicted as individuals who are learning from Jesus' teachings and grappling with the profound concepts he presents. The disciples' reactions and discussions serve to illustrate the varying levels of understanding and faith among Jesus' followers.

💡Spirit

The 'Spirit' in the context of the video represents the divine life force or the Holy Spirit, which is believed to give life and guide believers. Jesus emphasizes that it is the Spirit that gives life, and not human strength, indicating the importance of spiritual guidance and divine intervention in the pursuit of eternal life.

💡Faith

Faith is a central theme in the video, referring to the trust and belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the teachings he imparts. The disciples' faith is tested by the difficult teachings about 'flesh and blood,' and Jesus acknowledges that not all will have faith in him, highlighting the personal nature of faith and its role in spiritual journeys.

💡Betrayal

Betrayal is a significant concept in the narrative, as Jesus is aware of who among his followers will betray him. This foreknowledge underscores the complexity of human relationships and the challenges of faith, even among those closest to Jesus.

💡Father's Will

The 'Father's Will' refers to God's divine plan or intention, which is central to the video's message. Jesus states that one cannot come to him unless the Father draws them, emphasizing the importance of divine intervention and predestination in the spiritual journey towards eternal life.

💡Holy One

The term 'Holy One' is used by Simon Peter to refer to Jesus, acknowledging his divine nature and purity. This title is significant as it reflects the disciples' recognition of Jesus' unique role as the Messiah and their commitment to him despite the challenging teachings.

Highlights

The metaphor of the bread of eternal life is introduced, emphasizing the spiritual nourishment through the consumption of Jesus' flesh and blood.

Unity with Jesus is promised to those who partake in the spiritual act of consuming the bread and wine.

Jesus' life is attributed to the living Father, indicating divine origin and purpose.

The eternal life offered through the bread from heaven is contrasted with the temporal nature of the manna consumed by the ancestors.

Discipleship is challenged by the difficult teachings of Jesus, leading to doubts and grumblings among his followers.

Jesus' awareness of his disciples' reactions and his subsequent question about their faith in the face of his teachings.

The spiritual life is described as being given by the Spirit, not by human effort or strength.

Jesus' teachings are from the life-giving Spirit, emphasizing the divine inspiration behind his words.

The acknowledgment of disbelief among some of Jesus' followers, highlighting the selective nature of faith.

Jesus' foreknowledge of who would have faith and who would betray him, showcasing his divine insight.

The necessity of the Father's desire for individuals to come to Jesus, indicating a divine call to faith.

The departure of many disciples due to the challenging nature of Jesus' teachings on the bread of life.

Peter's declaration of loyalty and faith in Jesus, despite the challenging teachings, asserting the uniqueness of Jesus' message.

The affirmation of the eternal life provided by Jesus' words, as stated by Peter, underlining the transformative power of faith.

The certainty of Jesus' divine identity as the Holy One of God, as expressed by Peter, reflecting the depth of belief among the apostles.