John 6:52-71
Q.1. Why could the eating of the flesh of Jesus, and the drinking His blood not be literal? To what was Jesus pointing when He spoke of giving His flesh for the world? – (Jn.6:51-58)
The Scriptures quite explicitly state that drinking the blood of any animal (let alone human blood) is abhorrent to God (see Lev.17:10-14). Jesus had explicitly stated that He had come to fulfill the Law (see Mt.5:17-18). Here Jesus was clearly speaking figuratively, as He did when He said – I am the door or gate (John 10:7 & 9). Perhaps one of the greatest reasons why many people will be denied entrance to Heaven (see Mt.7:21-23), is that they claim to believe, but do not show this by loving and following Christ, with obedient living. Jesus was here demanding a believer’s total identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. Only by such faith in Him, can we claim Him to be our Substitute and Sin-bearer. His death on the cross would demand the flesh of His body. He requires His followers to be willing to deny themselves and take up their cross (see Lk.9:23 c.f. Mt.10:38; 14:27).
Q.2. What made Jesus place such high demands on those who follow Him? Why do some followers of Christ desert Him? – (Jn.6:59-65)
The primary reason for Jesus’ demands, is that it is only in this way that there can be genuine substitution i.e. God requires a life for a life (see 1 Pet.2:24; 3:18 c.f. Lev.24:17-20). The other reason is that Jesus knew that persecution would come to His followers, and that many who merely liked Jesus would falter. Only the ones who really loved Him woul persevere. The parable of the Sower gives a variety of reasons why some followers will desert Christ (see Mt.13:18-23).
Q.3. What distinguished the Twelve from the crowds? Why did Jesus choose Judas Iscariot? – (Jn.6:66-71)
The demands that Jesus placed on His disciples were high. His motive was not just to get everyone to LIKE Him, but for a few to really LOVE Him. Most of His followers were drawn to the miracles and spectacles (see Jn.6:26) and were not prepared to think deeply about spiritual matters. Many of the disciples had been drawn to John the Baptizer because they were searching for the truth. When Jesus raised the bar, they did not all fall away, because as Peter declared – 68 … Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God (Jn.6:68-69). Nevertheless, Jesus was not blind to the fact that there was a devilish traitor amongst them, as the Scriptures foretold (see Jn.6:70-71).