“Did Jesus Really Say That?” Part 6
John 6:51-66 (NLT/AMP) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is My flesh.” 52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what He meant. “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” they asked. 53 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. 54 But anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. 60 When many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This is a difficult and harsh and offensive statement. Who can [be expected to] listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, aware that His disciples were complaining about it, asked them, “Does this cause you to stumble and take offense?” 66 As a result of this many of His disciples abandoned Him, and no longer walked with Him.
Did Jesus really say that we should eat His flesh and drink His blood?
The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20)
The Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 10:21)
The Breaking of Bread (Acts 20:7)
The Eucharist (1 Cor. 14:16)
The Sacrament
Communion (1 Cor. 10:16)
1 Corinthians 10:16 (NKJV) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Koinōnia — “share, participate, fellowship, join together in unity.”
Exodus 12:12-14 (NLT) On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.
In the story of the Passover…
Egypt represents bondage and sin.
The spotless lamb points to Jesus as the pure and perfect sacrifice.
The unleavened bread reminds us of Jesus’ body, broken for us.
The blood on the doorposts points to His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
John 1:29 (NLT) “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
1 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV) …knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish…”
Every Passover meal and every lamb that was ever sacrificed has been a living prophecy, pointing to Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
Luke 22:14-20 (NLT) When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until it’s meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 After supper He took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with My blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
1. Communion is a time of giving and receiving love
Luke 22:15 (NLT) Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins.
2. Communion is a time of celebration
Through Jesus’ sacrifice…
The curse of sin, sickness, and poverty has been broken.
Death, hell, and the grave have been defeated.
We’ve been given a new and better covenant.
We’ve been given access to His presence.
Revelation 12:11 (AMP) And they overcame and conquered him [the devil] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony…
3. Communion is a time of proclaiming
1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
4. Communion is a time of remembering
Luke 22:19 (NLT) “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
5. Communion is a time of examining
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (NKJV) But let a man examine himself… 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself…
6. Communion is a time of blessing
1 Corinthians 10:16 (NKJV) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Psalm 103:1-5 (NKJV) Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
“The Lord’s Table is the place of God’s provision.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26, For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.”