GOD’S WORD FOR  NOVEMBER 18

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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John 6:60-71

(Christ has just said the disciples must fully commit or leave)

To make matters worse, Christ made comments that were even more offensive. “Truly, Truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of and and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.” (vs53-55).

These statements puzzled the multitude.  They knew that cannibalism was inconsistent with the teachings of the Old Testament, which also taught that blood was not to be drunk.  In what sense, therefore, should they be eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood?

If they had listened more closely, they would have understood that Christ was not speaking literally,  for He interprets His own words.  “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood ABIDES IN ME AND I IN HIM.  As the living father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me.”  (Vs 56-57).  Christ was talking about a relationship with Him that is based on faith.  Just as He lived in dependence upon the Father, so we are to live in dependence upon Him. – that is what it means to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

 What physical bread is to the body, our union with Christ is to the soul.

Then even more clearly Christ adds, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (Vs 63).

Despite this explanation, an argument erupted in the crowd.  They had followed Christ because He was able to give them physical bread, but they disdained His insistence that the spiritual bread from heaven was of primary importance.

 At last we read, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. (V 66).  No matter how favorably they had felt about Jesus just the day before, they simply could not accept this teaching about their need for spiritual nourishment.

These “hard sayings” forced a moment of decision.  Those who were spiritually hungry could ponder Christ’s words and learn more about their need for heavenly bread.

Those who cared only about physical bread would be bored with these spiritual insights. 

Thus Christ separated the grain from the chaff.

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Romans 12:2 ~ ~ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 6:35 ~ ~ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Matthew 4:4 ~ ~ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Ephesians 1:21 ~ ~ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Proverbs 3:5 ~ ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

John 8:32 ~ ~ And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Matthew 11:28 ~ ~ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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