John 6:56-69
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
"Do you also wish to go away?"
John's Gospel ends the teaching on the Bread of Life with challenges which are difficult to accept (v. 60). John specifies the place where Jesus is teaching, showing us that the event takes place in the Synagogue at Capernaum (v. 59).
Happy are those who are invited to the Banquet of the Lamb.
Jesus speaks again and again about the divine spiritual bread and the earthly bread. The first being His body that ensures eternal life, and the second being the daily bread that's needed by all humans for their earthly living.
The idea of eating His Body meets with resistance, discontent and even refusal - not only among the disciples who follow Jesus, but also among those whom He chooses to be apostles.
All are waiting for the Messiah, the Almighty King, whose kingdom will have no end. How come He says, "Whoever eats my body will live forever?" This is Jesus' essential mission, to redeem, save and grant eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Many leave (v. 66). They are disappointed. This man couldn't be the expected Messiah. Jesus, though, loves all who turn back and no longer follow Him. He is going to challenge His own disciples. He never wants to impose faith, He wants them to believe out of their own conviction and freedom.
As usual in John's Gospel, Jesus is taking the first initiative. He asks them, challenging their own faith and free choice, "Do you also wish to go away?" (v. 67)
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent "to save the sinners, of whom I am the first" (1 Timothy 1:15), and to offer eternal life to whoever "eats His Body and drinks His Blood" (v. 56-58). Do I receive this teaching today and accept it without doubt or discontent?
May we remember that Jesus still loves all those who leave Him and His teaching. He asks me the question about partaking His Body and Blood for my eternal life. What is my response to Him today?
Jesus asks, "Do you wish to maintain your faith and trust in me?" Happy are those who respond with Peter's faith. "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" (v. 68-69).
"Happy are those who are invited to the Banquet of the Lamb...These are the true words of God" Revelation 19:9!