Scriptures
By Elder Janice Hall
Lesson Text: John 6:53-54, 60-71
Related Scriptures: John 3:5-21, Matthew26:26-29, I Corinthians 11:23-26
Today’s lesson text, John 6:53-54, 60-71 brings us to the lifetime of Jesus when there were those who might have considered themselves His disciples, but had a misconception of this person, the Messiah. Jesus’ teachings were becoming, unconditional, intense and challenging statements which cause many to leave.
We see in John 3:5-21, Jesus explains the new birth. Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus, makes it clear that a man’s first birth does not assure him of entering the kingdom of God. We see in the celebrated, powerful, declaration of the gospel in John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus revealed the heart of God the Father in sending God the Son, to bring hope, healing, rescue, and salvation to the world through Him.
Matthew 26:26-29 reminds us of the insightful words when Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. This covenant gives us a new, close relationship with God, because of what Jesus did on the cross. In the passage of I Corinthians 11: 23-26, Paul reminds them precisely about the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. The apostle relates that this time is not merely in remembrance of Christ, and what He has done, but also to celebrate His grace in our redemption.
Synopsis
By Prophetess Lecha Price
Many people followed Jesus but only a few truly believed. When Jesus said “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53), most of those followers chose to depart from Him. They did not understand the saying was spiritual and not literal. Jesus’ message to his listeners was intended to metaphorically convey the cost of having eternal life. However, because they were not wholeheartedly committed to Him their unbelief enticed them to walk away.
Jesus being sovereign, knew most only followed because of the miracles He performed and were not true disciples. When the fair-weather followers departed, He asked the twelve “Will ye also go away?” Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” This unpretentious statement evidenced that their hearts were committed to Him and they truly believed and would remain with Him.
This lesson teaches us that as true disciples of Christ Jesus, we may not always comprehend the meaning of the Master’s message to us. However, the markings of true faith are seen in: (1) trusting in the Lord even when our understanding falters or fails and (2) always believing and knowing things will be made clear in God’s perfect timing. To believe Him is eternal life. Let’s believe and lay hold to eternal life.
Practical Application
By Sister Pam Jones
No doubt, some things in life are hard to deal with on a daily basis. However, there has to come a point in time, when dealing with those issues, that we have to take what we’ve seen and heard, and make a decision about its viability. Many people took the words and actions of Jesus, mulled them over, trying to determine is He who He says He is. I can give them an unequivocal answer, Yes..!!. Yes, He is everything that He claims to be.
Jesus is the one and only one that we can save us. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” He died on the cross, and because of it, He gave his body and blood for us to accept Him, thereby, accepting salvation. When Jesus spoke of “whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life…” in John 6:54a, many didn’t understand that He spoke of Him giving His body for us, so they turned and walked away because it was a hard saying for them to understand. We believe and have faith in Him, that He is the Son of God, and we take communion, which represents his body and blood.
Taking the words, actions, miracles, sayings, and teachings of Jesus Christ shows us very clearly that He is who He says He is. Jesus says:” I am the bread of life (John 6:48), I am the light of the world (John 8:12a), and I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).”
Some may question how can He be bread, light, resurrection, and life? When we experience the one and only true living God in our hearts and minds, we will see that He is not talking in riddles. He speaks directly to what He will be in our hearts, minds, and situations.
