TAKE A BITE, CHEW, AND SWALLOW

Jesus said to them, “I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Human One and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” John 6:53

Can we imagine sitting at the feet of the Son of Man and hearing Him say these words? Possibly we might be somewhat put-off by the thought of eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus. Was He asking the disciples to take a bite out of Himself literally?

We now have a ceremonial act in our churches called the sacraments or the Lord's supper and, in this act, have constant remembrance of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. But in merely going through this ceremonial-act motion, are we genuinely sharing in His flesh and blood?

We will know when we have indeed taken a bite of the flesh of Jesus because, just like the devoured scrolls of Ezekiel and John, it will be as sweet as honey; however, it may become bitter in our stomach. Why? Because when we truly accept Christ, we must also accept His suffering. It's not enough to merely take a bite to see how Jesus tastes. We must chew and swallow. 

The disciples eventually understood, and they suffered greatly for their witness. Every day, as we fill up on Jesus, we are ridding ourselves of selfish, prideful desires until our only hope is in Christ Jesus. Every act will be in the power of the faith He gives us. Our foundation of life will be in Christ. We will no longer have our hearts in this world of illusion. Instead, our hearts will focus on the world of His everlasting kingdom, and at times, we may suffer in our witness.

We must never stop doing the routine ritualistic acts because by doing this, we may one day come to understand Jesus' words in verses 54-56, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them." Once we take a bite, chew, and swallow, we will be the life of Jesus in us, to the world.

 Thank you, Christ Jesus, for being the bread and blood of true life. Amen.