John 6:51-58 Commentary by Dr. Tom Boomershine

Summary

The script delves into the provocative discourse of Jesus, where he speaks of giving his flesh to eat, not symbolically but literally, emphasizing the doctrine of transubstantiation. It explores the intimacy of the relationship between Jesus and believers, conveyed through the metaphor of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. This relationship is described as one of ongoing love and trust, leading to spiritual and eternal life. The discourse concludes with Jesus' passion prophecy, offering his life for the world, inviting listeners to a radical closeness with God, contrasting the emotional distance often found in religious communities.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The script discusses a provocative question from the biblical tradition about Jesus' words on eating his flesh and drinking his blood, suggesting a deeper meaning beyond literal interpretation.
• 🍞 The doctrine of transubstantiation is mentioned as an attempt to interpret these words, suggesting that the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Jesus in substance.
• 🔍 The discourse emphasizes relationship over substance, indicating that Jesus' words are about the intimate relationship believers have with him through the act of eating the bread.
• 💞 The term 'abide' signifies the ongoing intimate relationship of love and trust between Jesus and believers, highlighting the importance of spiritual oneness.
• 🌟 Spiritual life and eternal life are found in the intimacy of this relationship with God, as described by Jesus in the Bread Discourse.
• 📜 The Greek word 'meno' is used to convey the idea of remaining in an intimate relationship, suggesting a deep connection and togetherness with Jesus.
• 🙏 The discourse is a call to believers to enter and remain in the intimacy of the relationship with Jesus, which is central to their spiritual journey.
• ⚔️ The use of radically realistic language serves to break through the cultural sense of alienation and separation from God, offering a close and intimate presence instead.
• 🏛 The script contrasts the emotional distance often found in religious communities with the intimate closeness that the discourse invites.
• 🕊️ The climax of the discourse is a passion prophecy, where Jesus gives his flesh for the life of the world, symbolizing his sacrifice for the sake of believers.
• 🌐 The invitation to closeness in relationship with God is presented as radically different from what was the norm in the ancient world and is often still the case today.

Q & A

What is the provocative question and statement that begins the bread discourse in the script?

The provocative question and statement that begins the bread discourse is 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?' which introduces a set of statements that have been the subject of intense theological debate and interpretation.

What is the doctrine of transubstantiation as mentioned in the script?

The doctrine of transubstantiation is a theological explanation that suggests during the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ, not just symbolically but in their substance.

How does the script interpret the literalism of Jesus' words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood?

The script interprets the literalism of Jesus' words as a metaphor for an intimate relationship with God, rather than a literal consumption of physical flesh and blood.

What is the main focus of the bread discourse according to the script?

The main focus of the bread discourse, as per the script, is the intimacy of the relationship between Jesus and those who believe in him, rather than the substance of the bread and wine.

What is the significance of the term 'abide' in the context of the bread discourse?

The term 'abide' signifies an ongoing intimate relationship of love and trust between the believer and Jesus, indicating a state of remaining and staying connected spiritually.

How does the script describe the relationship of spiritual identity mentioned by Jesus?

The script describes the relationship of spiritual identity as one of intimacy, where believers become one with Jesus through the metaphor of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, leading to eternal life.

What is the passion prophecy referred to in the script?

The passion prophecy is Jesus' statement that he will give his flesh for the life of the world, signifying his impending death and sacrifice for the sake of humanity.

How does the script suggest that Jesus' words were meant to break through cultural norms?

The script suggests that Jesus' radically realistic language was intended to overcome the sense of alienation and separation from God present in the culture of his time, offering an intimate and close relationship instead.

What is the contrast the script draws between the religious communities of the ancient world and the message of the bread discourse?

The script contrasts the often emotionally distant nature of many religious communities in the ancient world with the message of the bread discourse, which invites believers into a closeness and intimacy with God that is radically different.

What is the climax of the bread discourse as described in the script?

The climax of the bread discourse is Jesus' invitation to his listeners to enter into an intimate relationship with him and to remain in that relationship, symbolized by the act of eating the bread and drinking the wine.

How does the script relate the message of the bread discourse to the experience of being part of a religious community today?

The script relates the message by highlighting the need for a close and intimate relationship with God, which is often lacking in many religious communities even today, and invites believers to seek that depth of connection.