Believing or Eating?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. [John 6.47]

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. [John 6.53]

So, which is it? believing or eating? Perhaps Jesus is telling us here that eating his flesh and drinking His blood is one and the same as believing. OK, so now process that for a moment...

Elsewhere, repeatedly we have read about FOOD. A few days ago in the OYB reading, Jesus spoke of His own nourishment:

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. [John 4.34]

So eternal life comes from believing. But believing is being "nourished" by the life of Jesus. And, just as Jesus' nourishment came from doing God's will, so our nourishment comes from partaking of Jesus.

So, how do we eat and drink Jesus? That answer would be to consume every bit of information we can get about Him and drink in every detail of His life and ministry on earth.

What else? Well, ...nothing. Our bodies know how to process natural food we eat. So our spirits know how to process the life and ministry of Jesus. Our responsibility is to EAT!

But that is a pretty bold step of faith, no? Pizza? Not so much. Jesus flesh and blood? A completely different story...

Do we dare consume Jesus and trust that what follows will be Him living through us? Do we dare dive in to the life of Jesus trusting that the subsequent growth contains the very power of God?

Keep thinking...

Father, as I believe - as I consume the life and ministry of Jesus Christ... I know You will be glorified!