On Line Bible Study - For the Week April 23-29, 2012

Lesson 533

John 6:   ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  (52-59.)

Our focus this week is on John 6:51-59.  The entire chapter of John 6 is available by clicking the link above.  Verse 51 sets the stage with stark clarity.  It's one thing for Jesus to say I am the bread of life.  It's quite another thing to say what he does in John 6:51.

This chapter is laden with imagery - recall in the verse 4 we are told The Jewish Passover Festival was near.  This is immediately followed by Jesus miraculously feeding the hungry crowds. Jesus realized they wanted to crown him "king", so he withdrew to a place alone.  Then, he walks on the water.  The crowd sees he is gone - then catches up with him.  The crowds, looking for a "sign", mention the manna that Moses provided for their ancestors.  This leads the chapter in the direction of the prolonged discussion regarding "bread".

Jesus has already said in John 6:35 - I am the bread of life.  In verses 35-50 the emphasis is on belief.  In verses 51ff, Jesus gives a very different perspective - the "bread" that he offers is his flesh.

There is some debate as to whether this passage (verses 51-59) is a much later addition by an editor (or redactor).  It seems to reflect the later Eucharistic understanding in the church. 

Some have used this text to argue the necessity of receiving the Eucharist always with both the bread and the wine.  I think Raymond Brown offers another point of view - to "eat the flesh and drink the blood" is to say that we can not go "half way" with Jesus, any more than you can "sort of" fly in an airplane, or "sort of" get wet when you jump in the pool.  We must take in the message of Jesus in its entirety.  Compare verse 35 with verse 51:

John 6:35:  I myself am the bread of life.  No one who comes to me whall ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me shall ever again be thirsty.

 

John 6:51:  I myself am the living bread that comes down from heaven.  If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever...

It's not just faith - or belief; now one must injest (and digest?) the full meaning of Jesus' ministry.  Is that what we are doing when we receive Holy Communion?

We have one more lesson in Chapter Six before moving on.