John 6.53

[claypot]

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye  eat  the  flesh  of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  54  Whoso eateth my  flesh , and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  55  For my  flesh  is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  56  He that eateth my  flesh , and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

What kind of person asks another to eat his flesh and drink his blood?

I mean this is weird even for Jesus isn't it?

If anyone, and I mean anyone, said something even remotely similar, we would either lock him up or run like crazy.

Why did Jesus go to such lengths to be so bizaar and unapproachable?

cp

[Beloved Servant]

It is neither bizarre nor unapproachable.
In fact, we need to do it daily.
Just like your natural body needs to eat and drink everyday — your spiritual body also needs daily nourishment.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Bread and Water of Life for our spiritual man.
He is Who makes and keeps us alive in Christ.
If we don't partake of Him everyday we will starve.
If we partake of a half-truth we become malnourished.

                                             He is our food, water and breath.

[fullarmor2]

I enjoyed reading that Beloved Servant.  It is so true. :thumbsup:

   Also ,  if we eat  tainted or poisoned  truth,   we get spiritually sick!  Meaning false doctrine  mixed with truth.

[sparrow]

CP... I know what you mean. I think the same thing.

This might help:

http://www.helium.com/items/734383-bible-study-eat-my-flesh-drink-my-blood---john-653-explained

[Beloved Servant]

Yes, fullarmor, especially the ones that are hidden.

[sparrow]

Why did Jesus go to such lengths to be so bizaar and unapproachable?
cp

Here's another article that also puts into the right perspective:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Eat-My-Flesh,-Drink-My-Blood&id=794071

I think he was again talking metaphorically to weed out those who were not ready to truly follow Him. Not that he didn't already know who would and wouldn't... but for the benefit of all. Us reading these words today...

I guess it's a heart thing... same with ET/UR I suppose, in a way.
Those whose hearts are not ready for the truth that all are saved will not understand the parables until their heart is ready for it. Until their heart has gone through a bit of purification and burning off the dross. If people aren't ready for something... then it suits them better to WAIT until they are ready rather than to just let them have it anyway because it might do SOME good. It's better that they must wait and receive it when they are ready, then it will do ALL good. Not just "some" good. That's why I think there are so many parables and some "strange" sayings like the "eat flesh, drink blood" thing.


Hope I'm making sense. I know what I want to say, but not sure if it's coming out right.

[Beloved Servant]

It's not coming out right, Sparrow, would you please explain it further in a much more detailed explanation.
I just like to know what people are thinking so I can understand it better.

[sparrow]

Which part don't you understand? Maybe if you tell me what you think I'm saying that will help me better explain what I mean. Then I'll know which part I need to clarify. Know what I mean? Thanks.

[Beloved Servant]

No, don't know what you mean.
Just a more in-depth detailed explanation.

[sparrow]

hmmm, Well, like I said earlier I'm having trouble explaining what I mean so perhaps I should just leave it at that until I can ponder more. I'd rather my words be MORE clear, not less clear.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: You have to remember His audience; He was talking to Jewish converts who were familiar with the concept of the priesthood that literally ate the tithes, and so He was painting a picture of the sacrificial lamb that they, as the soon to be spiritual priesthood (formed on the day of Pentecost), would consume.

So I doubt they batted an eye, except to marvel over how He was to become the sacrifice. I think they all had a lot to learn from the Spirit after the day of Pentecost as well, just as we do, as they had to be told what manner in which He would die, which to me shows they weren't yet all 'with the program', so to speak. Blessings......

[Beloved Servant]

The Lord is my bucket.
He bails us out from the most awkward situations.

[Raggedy Anne]

Claypot,

Had I not known that the words Jesus spoke were spiritual, (which he had said they were), then I'd have thought him a lunatic, I guess.  But he spoke of things spiritually.

And indeed, I have partaken of the body of blood of Christ for my own salvation and sanctification through those in his body who have poured themselves out on my behalf.

Anne

[martincisneros]

I think he was again talking....to weed out those who were not ready to truly follow Him. Not that he didn't already know who would and wouldn't... but for the benefit of all. Us reading these words today....If people aren't ready for something... then it suits them better to WAIT until they are ready rather than to just let them have it anyway because it might do SOME good. It's better that they must wait and receive it when they are ready, then it will do ALL good. Not just "some" good....

Very beautiful, Sparrow!  Exactly. Luke 6:40 comes to mind.  There comes a point for all who are just like their Master where they've got to just leave it alone about the more precious truths, and not slip into the ego thing that if I give it to them in 75 different ways with illustrations and Scripture references being different each time that they'll unquestionably get it.  It's not for fear of being misunderstood or because of some things being too precious to share, but because certain things can't be received from certain teachers and that's as much a matter as the timing as it is of the development of those that would know all truth at all costs. 

Sometimes the "at all costs" to get the rest of the way includes patience and walking out what you already have until He gives you more, or until why the part you let get away from you in the previous lessons suddenly makes the most sense out of all of it and it wasn't a matter of opinion, but finally fits because I'm walking out the patterns on my own now, and now it's like "oh!" (i.e. the V8 moment of striking one's head) "Now I know why He or he or she was saying this or that.  Makes so much more sense now."  And then when the prior lessons are finally grasped and those that won't endure to the end have been calculatingly cut loose to go ahead and be lost in the wilderness, and the wheat and tares are allowed to grow to harvest, then when the wheat is fully matured, then the ones who've clung to both until harvest time are much more eager to disguard the tares into the unquenchable fire so that the fire has more fuel and the wheat can become the bread of your dreams!

Wheat grows much more easily without the tares being present, however when both are seen in their fully matured form, then it becomes abundantly clear to all on why the wheat is preferable and it's no longer just a Fatherly "BECAUSE I SAY SO!!" but sin is shown in it's true light, it's true colors, etc., as nothing but a python that was fighting night and day to destroy all that Father was trying to bring of His goodness into your life and to try to lie to you that it was Him doing the stealing, killing, and destroying.  For the same reason that some will say that the sin was allowed, in order to magnify the knowledge of the good, acceptable, and perfect -- for the exact same reasons the tares are allowed to grow with the wheat and the blatantly obnoxious is interspersed with all of the beauties of Jeremiah 33:9-26, Psalm 23:1, and Isaiah 61:10-11. As Andrew Jukes has said in "Restitution of all things" the very form of the Written Word is a part of our chastening by the Lord. That's likewise true of the "proceeding Word" and of the Word made flesh with those that Luke 6:40 is true of.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I especially liked the part about the tares feeding the fire for the bread of your dreams, Martin.......... :thumbsup: Blessings....

[peacemaker]

"A fire burns in the heart, to drink and eat beyond measure."

:smile: :smile: :smile:

[sparrow]

Ok, well I'm glad something I said seemed to make sense to someone. I'm still not satisfied with what I wrote but oh well. Still pondering, like I said. lol.

Beloved, I still don't know how else to word what I wrote. But I think this brings up an important issue.


I think that we should always be able to question others beliefs when we don't understand what they are saying. When I question other's posts, the majority of the time, I'm trying to clarify what it is they are saying. Words they are using. Phrases they are using. Someone will say "new earth". Ok, What does "new earth" mean to you? A phrase or a word could mean something ENTIRELY different to two different people. And a person can use a phrase or word one minute one way, and the next minute they are using that same word or phrase with a totally different meaning. For example someone could say "new heavens" refers to literal new physical heavens. Then the next minute they may say "new heavens" referring to a renewed mind.

Clarification in discussion forums is a must.
Clarification in a disccusion forum talking about GOD is an ABSOLUTE must.
Because there ARE so many symbols etc., and so many different ways people USE symbols.

It's not always about people not understanding you so they must not "be ready" for truth...
Sometimes people just need to know what it IS that you are saying in the first place. (general you.)

Sorry if this went off-topic a bit... but it needs to be said, I think.

[martincisneros]

It's not always about people not understanding you so they must not "be ready" for truth...
Sometimes people just need to know what it IS that you are saying in the first place. (general you.)

Exactly. I'm trying all of the time to clarify, though I know I fall far short of my own standards and intentions on clarifying, and there's about 3 others with some amazing things to say that I'm always [or frequently] picking on BECAUSE I want them to spend that extra sentence or paragraph with each post, beyond what they feel He's given them, to help to clarify what they feel He's given them 'cause what they've posted could be 100% valid and even life changing, but as you said, many of us have our own emerging lingo and it's not always consistent even within the same weeks or even within the same post and since 250 New Testament phrases have 1800 meanings around here, depending on who is posting and their context and Scriptures or personal experiences being alluded to, it's only fair to clarify or to adopt additional ways of clarifying that they mean over time, that if I capitalize such and such or bold print it, then I'm meaning this other entirely different whatever based upon such and such a pattern, such as the Tabernacle, whether Tabernacle of Moses or Tabernacle of David -- and those two tabernacles aren't even identical, I've been informed by someone around here that the Tabernacle of David only had two chambers instead of the 3 we're all used to hearing about.  Well, for newbies, when we're wandering from our customary way of expressing Scriptures we speak the most often of, then we need to clarify the understood change in lingo based upon another set of types and shadows being appealed to or whatever.  It's not an incredible departure from the opening post 'cause it comes up in the writings of the New Testament with the so-called [according to some] "contradictions" that when looked into further are either a matter of a translational issue or weren't even [contextually] about the same thing that's being discussed by the other [seemingly] contradictory passage, and is often referring to something entirely different in the Old Testament from what was previously presumed to be what it was talking about.

[sparrow]

Thanks Martin. :thumbsup:

and since 250 New Testament phrases have 1800 meanings around here, depending on who is posting and their context and Scriptures or personal experiences being alluded to..

YES.

precisely.  :grin:

[HartleyDamboiseII]

I just want to post a thought to this verse.

This ritual that Jesus did was an END of a system for the Jews. The Last supper was just that, and Religion has made that supper happen every year in the Christmas Joke we tell our children when we give presents.

Jesus became the Life in the Blood, the Life In the Flesh.

He did do away with death at the resurrection because He is the Life in ALL.
Whether we hear now or later. "the Moving of the Waters" US.

Lee Damboise II        IMO   Father Bless...

[claypot]

Sparrow, you make perfect sense to me. Your posts here spoke to me and you are so right about clarifying our statements with each other. I'm glad you and Belserv strive to get clarification as that opens the door and turns on the light in many ways.

Card, you wrote..........

[You have to remember His audience; He was talking to Jewish converts who were familiar with the concept of the priesthood that literally ate the tithes, and so He was painting a picture of the sacrificial lamb that they, as the soon to be spiritual priesthood (formed on the day of Pentecost), would consume.

So I doubt they batted an eye, except to marvel over how He was to become the sacrifice. I think they all had a lot to learn from the Spirit after the day of Pentecost as well, just as we do, as they had to be told what manner in which He would die, which to me shows they weren't yet all 'with the program', so to speak. Blessings......]

As I continued reading after Jesus talked of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, I noticed that many thought He was nuts and many quit following Him. I think they 'batted an eye' at least but I do get your drift about these words not being as shocking to them as it would be today. I know you also see deeply into the spiritual realm and I appreciate your input here. Thanks!

I'm thinking Anne hit the nail on the head, for me anyway, about Jesus' words being spiritual and thus not palatable for the 'natural man' within us all. I believe this is the way we should view all of God's words but Jesus came in a natural way and I was just thinking that He could have made the transition a bit less dramatic at times but of course, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. I'm just airing and all your thoughts are deeply appreciated.

Sparrow, I'm off to check out the links you suggested and thanks in advance!!!

cp

[claypot]

As Andrew Jukes has said in "Restitution of all things" the very form of the Written Word is a part of our chastening by the Lord.

Martin, this especially was good for my ears to hear. Thanks.

cp

[jesushandsarekindhands]

Eating his flesh is eating his word (the bread of life).

Matthew 4:4:
But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


The life is in the blood, so we drink his blood.

(Gen9:4) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood...for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul"(Lev17:11)

[claypot]

Why did Jesus go to such lengths to be so bizaar and unapproachable?
cp

Here's another article that also puts into the right perspective:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Eat-My-Flesh,-Drink-My-Blood&id=794071

I think he was again talking metaphorically to weed out those who were not ready to truly follow Him. Not that he didn't already know who would and wouldn't... but for the benefit of all. Us reading these words today...

I guess it's a heart thing... same with ET/UR I suppose, in a way.
Those whose hearts are not ready for the truth that all are saved will not understand the parables until their heart is ready for it. Until their heart has gone through a bit of purification and burning off the dross. If people aren't ready for something... then it suits them better to WAIT until they are ready rather than to just let them have it anyway because it might do SOME good. It's better that they must wait and receive it when they are ready, then it will do ALL good. Not just "some" good. That's why I think there are so many parables and some "strange" sayings like the "eat flesh, drink blood" thing.


Hope I'm making sense. I know what I want to say, but not sure if it's coming out right.

Like trying to give a newborn a big juicy steak or even a more healthy vegi burger. Even though the burger is healthy, it would prove deadly to the newborn.

Again Sparrow, good thoughts, and the links you gave out are well received too.

cp

[claypot]

Eating his flesh is eating his word (the bread of life).

Matthew 4:4:
But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


The life is in the blood, so we drink his blood.

(Gen9:4) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood...for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul"(Lev17:11)

What I like most about passages like the ones we are discussing is that they make it perfectly clear that the Bible is a closed Book to the natural or carnal man. It is truly a treasure hidden in a field. It closes the discussion as to whether God's words should be read and taken literally or spiritually. I'm not saying His words are not helpful in the physical realm, they are, but the true life in them is in the spiritual IMO.

Thanks j.

Belserv, are things clearer for you now? Do you see what Sparrow is saying?

cp