If a=b & b=c, then a=c.

(John 6:48-71 NIV)
I love puzzles or problems involving math – I’m weird that way. In John 6, I found what I believe to be the perfect place to apply the equation of if a=b and b=c, then a=c. Following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus began to teach of himself as the Bread of life. As he progressed in his teaching, he became more graphic in the choice of his words.

If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The people following had a natural reaction arguing among themselves and questioning, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus persisted with this metaphor. In fact, he becomes even more graphic:

For, my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

As I continued to read, this became very clear. But, as I read this initially, my reaction was much the same as the disciples. “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Then, probably by the prompting of insight from God’s spirit, I thought of math. It’s the way I typically analyze things and during my quiet time, God reveals to me in a language I understand – math :-).

There are two metaphors that Christ uses in this teaching – his flesh and his blood. Dealing with flesh, recall John 1. The word “Word” is used in reference to Jesus. And, in John 1:14, we find, “The Word became flesh …” So, here’s the equation:

If “The Word” refers to Jesus, and Jesus, in our passage, refers to his flesh, then his flesh refers to “The Word.”

The Word of God, His truth are the keys to eternal life (John 8:32, John 14:6). John had the benefit of writing his book after the death of Jesus. He recalled these experiences and wrote the clues to understanding much of the book of John and the life of Jesus in the very first chapter.

In dealing with his reference to blood, we have to fast forward to his last supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:25, “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” Jesus stated that he was the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17). He represented a new covenant from God to be a gift of redemption for all people who would accept (“drink”) that new covenant. Accepting (believing and following) Jesus as the new covenant of God leads to eternal life.

We obviously have the benefit of New Testament scripture to interpret these seemingly strange words of Jesus. But, the Jews and even some of the disciples struggled. Once we get past the metaphors, the truths in his teachings require faith as well. When the disciples join in the grumbling, Jesus explains himself, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Jesus was trying to show them spiritual truths. Sadly, the passage shows that many did not believe. When many left, Jesus turned to the inner twelve for a response. “You do not want to leave me too, do you?” Peter responded with the solution to the puzzle, “You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus knew that one of them didn’t get it. This may have been the beginning of the disillusionment of Judas.

What is your response? Life in Christ may not be easy to understand nor easy to live. Yet, in him, are the words of life. Desire to know him more by drinking of his new covenant and eating his word.