John 6:22-59; 1 Chronicles 24; Zechariah 10

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.” (John 6:54-55 NKJV)

After all these years, I still have problems with this figurative language. (And yes, it is figurative language!) I can only imagine how the people who heard it felt. In context, Jesus had just fed 5000 people – or more using a few loaves and fishes. After that, people asked for more food and told Him, in effect, “if you don’t feed us like Moses did, you ain’t no messiah of mine.” In response, Jesus said, in effect, “you don’t get it. Moses gave you physical food, like the stuff I just gave you, but I’ve got something much greater for you: me, my teachings, my life, my love, my forgiveness.” In our relationship with God, it’s all about Jesus. If you want to grow in your relationship with God, eat of the flesh of Jesus – which I interpret to mean study Him and His teachings. If you need comfort, drink of the blood of Jesus. Relax in Him. Be refreshed by the living water. (I know I’m mixing metaphors there.) Let Him hold you as you go through your worst trials. Be revived by His presence. I hope my interpretation is valid in God’s eyes, but we’ll never go wrong if we trust in Him and cast all our cares on His shoulders.

If Jesus really is the Word (In the beginning was the Word… and the word was God)  it makes sense that He meant for us to feed spiritually on the word of God and on HIs teachings. There’s no doubt that some of God’s word is like liver and onions, others are vegetables, and others are steak. While it’s not always easy to go through God’s word, in the long run, His word is comfort food. Sometimes you need to read and study His word. At other times, you need to rest in Him and let Him refresh your Spirit. The more you make Him a greater part of your life, the more joy you’ll experience no matter what the situations of life may be.

Lord, sometimes Your words are hard to understand and digest. Teach me to love and grow in You whatever the situation may be. Help me learn to rest in Your unfailing grace and love.