Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“May everyone who recognizes the Son and shows faith in him have eternal life” (JOHN 6:40).
1. What do some people think of the idea of living forever?
MANY people watch what they eat and try to exercise regularly to stay healthy. Still, they don't expect to live forever. Maybe it seems like a utopia, or even an undesirable idea because they don't want to suffer the problems of old age. However, Jesus spoke positively about “eternal life.”, as we read in John 3:16 and 5:24.
2. What does John chapter 6 say about eternal life? (John 6:39, 40).
2 One day, Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people with loaves and fish. What he did was amazing, but what he said the next day was even more so. That crowd had followed him to Capernaum, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and there he told them that human beings could be resurrected and enjoy eternal life. (see John 6:39, 40). Think about the family and friends you have lost. What Jesus said teaches us that many people who have died will be resurrected and that you and your loved ones will be able to enjoy eternal life. But, in John chapter 6, Jesus said other words that many have found difficult to understand. Let's examine them in more detail.
3. According to John 6:51, what did Jesus teach about himself?
3 The crowd in Capernaum saw a relationship between the loaves that Jesus had recently given them and the manna that Jehovah had provided for their ancestors. The Bible itself calls manna “bread from heaven” (Ps. 105:40; John 6:31). Jesus took advantage of the topic of manna to teach them something else. Although manna was a miraculous gift from God, those who ate it were not spared death (John 6:49). However, Jesus called himself “the true bread from heaven,” “the bread of God,” and “the bread of life.” (John 6:32, 33, 35). And, later, he indicated a fundamental difference between manna and himself. He said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever." (read John 6:51). These words left those Jews very confused. How could Jesus claim that he had come down from heaven and that he was a “bread” superior to the manna that God had miraculously given to his ancestors? Jesus gave them an interesting clue when he said: “The bread that I am going to give is my flesh.” What could he be referring to? We are interested in knowing the answer, because then we will know what makes it possible for us and our loved ones to live forever. Let's see what Jesus was talking about.
“THE LIVING BREAD” AND ITS MEAT
4. Why were some scandalized when they heard what Jesus said?
4 Some of those who heard Jesus were scandalized when they heard him say that he would give up his flesh so that the world might live. Maybe they thought they would have to eat the literal flesh of Jesus, which would turn them into cannibals. (Juan 6:52). But Jesus then added an even more shocking detail: “Except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves.” (Juan 6:53).
5. Why do we know that Jesus was not asking people to drink his literal blood?
5 Already in the days of Noah, God had forbidden humans to consume blood (Gen. 9:3, 4). And he later repeated this prohibition in the Law he gave to Israel. Anyone who ate blood had to be “eliminated.” (Lev. 7:27). Jesus endorsed the Law of Moses (Matt. 5:17-19). That is why it is unthinkable that he would ask a crowd of Jews to literally eat his flesh or drink his blood. In reality, with these striking words, Jesus was teaching people how to obtain life, “eternal life.” (Juan 6:54).
6. What else helps us understand that Jesus was speaking figuratively when he said to eat his flesh and drink his blood?
6 It is clear that Jesus was speaking figuratively. It was not the first time he did it, because let us remember what he said to the Samaritan woman: “Whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never thirst again. Rather, the water that I will give him will become a spring within him, springing up to give eternal life.” (Juan 4:7, 14). Jesus was not implying that the Samaritan woman would receive eternal life simply by drinking water from a particular well. Likewise, he was also not saying that the crowd he spoke to in Capernaum would live forever if they literally ate his flesh and drank his blood.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO OCCASIONS
7. What do some say about what Jesus said in John 6:53?
7 Some religious people claim that what Jesus said in John 6:53 about eating his flesh and drinking his blood laid the foundation for the Lord's Supper. They are based on the fact that on this later occasion he used similar words (Mat. 26:26-28). They claim that all who attend the Lord's Supper must eat the bread and drink the wine that is passed around among those present. Is what they say correct? It is important to know the answer because every year millions of people around the world gather with us to celebrate this event. We will see several differences between the words of John 6:53 and what Jesus said during the Lord's Supper.
8. What are some differences between these two occasions? (See also images).
8 Let us examine two differences between these two occasions. First, when and where did Jesus speak the words of John 6:53-56? It was before a crowd of Jews in Galilee in the year 32 of our era. This was a year before establishing the Lord's Supper in Jerusalem. Second, to whom did he address his words? In Galilee, most of Jesus' listeners were more interested in their physical needs than in their spiritual needs. (Juan 6:26). In fact, when Jesus said something that they found difficult to understand, they immediately lost faith in him. Even some of his disciples stopped following him. (John 6:14, 36, 42, 60, 64, 66). But what happened on this occasion was very different from what happened a year later, in 33, when Jesus established the Lord's Supper. On that occasion his 11 faithful apostles were with him, although they did not fully understand what he was teaching. However, they were not like most of those in Galilee. The faithful apostles were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God who had come down from heaven (Matt. 16:16). For this reason, he congratulated them for their attitude: “You are the ones who have stood by me in my trials” (Luke 22:28). These two differences are enough to understand that it makes no sense to claim that the words of John 6:53 laid the foundation for the Lord's Supper. But there is more evidence.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Jesus speaking to a crowd. Some of those who hear it are murmuring and others are scandalized. 2. Jesus establishing the Lord's Supper with his faithful apostles.
John chapter 6 mentions what Jesus said to a crowd of Jews in Galilee (left). A year later he spoke to his small group of faithful apostles in Jerusalem (right). (See paragraph 8).
THE WORDS OF JESUS AND YOU
9. To whom do the words Jesus said at the Lord's Supper apply?
9 At the Lord's Supper, Jesus offered his apostles unleavened bread and told them that it represented his body. Then he handed them the wine and told them that it represented “the blood of the covenant.” (Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:24). This last detail is very significant. This new covenant is not made with humanity in general, but with “the house of Israel,” that is, with the spiritual Israelites, who will rule with Christ “in the Kingdom of God.” (Heb. 8:6, 10; 9:15). At the time, the apostles did not understand all that this meant. But soon they would be anointed with holy spirit and would become part of the new covenant to receive a place with Jesus in heaven. (Juan 14:2, 3).
10. What is another difference between what Jesus said in Galilee and what he said during the Lord's Supper? (See also the image).
10 It should be noted that, during the Lord's Supper, Jesus focused on the “little flock.” This small group was initially formed by the faithful apostles who accompanied him at that dinner. (Luke 12:32). Both they and other people who would be part of the same group would have to eat the bread and drink the wine. All of them will receive a place in heaven with Jesus. What he said to his apostles on this occasion is very different from what he said to the crowds in Galilee. There Jesus had a broader group in mind, so his words apply to many more people.
ILLUSTRATION
A brother eating the bread during the Lord's Supper.
Those who eat the bread and drink the wine at the Memorial are a small group, but “everyone” who demonstrates faith in Jesus can receive eternal life. (See paragraph 10).
11. How do we know that the blessing Jesus spoke of in Galilee was not for a limited group of people?
11 When Jesus was in Galilee in the year 32, he was addressing mainly Jews who wanted him to give them bread. But he told them about something much more beneficial than literal food: something that would allow them to have eternal life. Furthermore, he indicated that those who died could be resurrected on the last day and live forever. He was not talking about a blessing for a select few, for a limited group, as in the case of the Lord's Supper. Rather, in Galilee he focused on a blessing that would be available to all people. In fact, He said, “If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. [...] The bread that I am going to give so that the world may live is my flesh” (John 6:51).
12. What does it take to receive the eternal life that Jesus spoke about in Galilee?
12 In Galilee, Jesus did not tell the Jews that all people, both those who had lived in the past and those born later, would automatically receive this blessing. Only those who eat the bread will receive it, that is, those who demonstrate faith. Many who claim to be Christians think that to be saved they just have to “believe” in Jesus and see him as their personal Savior. (John 6:29, New International Version). But the truth is that some of the crowd at first believed in Jesus and then abandoned him. Why did this happen?
13. What did it take to be a true disciple of Jesus?
13 Most of the people in the crowd Jesus fed were willing to follow him as long as he gave them what they wanted. What they were interested in were miraculous healings, free food, and teachings that matched what they wanted to hear. But Jesus showed them that to be his true disciples something more was needed. He had not come to Earth simply to satisfy the physical needs of people. They had to “come” to Jesus, that is, accept and obey everything he taught. (Juan 5:40; 6:44).
14. What do we have to do to benefit from the flesh and blood of Jesus?
14 Jesus emphasized that they had to demonstrate faith. But faith... in what? In that the flesh and blood that he was going to sacrifice would allow them to have eternal life. That faith was essential for those Jews, and it is also essential today (John 6:40). That's right, in order for us to benefit from the blood and flesh of Jesus mentioned in John 6:53, we must demonstrate faith in the rescue. And this opportunity is within the reach of an immense number of people. (Eph. 1:7).
15, 16. What benefits does John chapter 6 remind us of?
15 John chapter 6 is very valuable for us and our loved ones. It shows how much Jesus loves people. In Galilee he healed the sick, told people about the Kingdom, and fed the hungry (Luke 9:11; John 6:2, 11, 12). And not only that, he taught them that he is the “bread of life” (John 6:35, 48).
16 The people Jesus called “other sheep” are not to eat the bread or drink the wine at the annual celebration of the Lord's Supper (John 10:16). But they do benefit from the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. They do this by demonstrating faith in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus (John 6:53). On the other hand, those who must eat the bread and drink the wine indicate, by doing so, that they are part of the new covenant and are heirs of the heavenly Kingdom. Therefore, John chapter 6 has much value for all of us, whether we are one of the anointed or the other sheep. He emphasizes that it is essential to demonstrate faith to have eternal life.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What must we do to live forever?
In Galilee, Jesus did not tell the Jews that all people, both those who had lived in the past and those born later, would automatically receive this blessing. Only those who eat the bread will receive it, that is, those who demonstrate faith. Many who claim to be Christians think that to be saved they just have to “believe” in Jesus and see Him as their personal Savior. But the truth is that many followers who at first believed in Jesus later abandoned him.
What are some differences between what Jesus said in 32 AD and what he said at the Lord's Supper in 33 AD?
First, when and where did Jesus speak the words of John 6:53-56? It was before a crowd of Jews in Galilee in the year 32 of our era. This was a year before establishing the Lord's Supper in Jerusalem.
Second, to whom did he address his words? In Galilee, most of Jesus' listeners were more interested in their physical needs than their spiritual needs.
It should be noted that, during the Lord's Supper, Jesus focused on the “little flock.” This small group was initially formed by the faithful apostles who accompanied him at that dinner.
What he said to his apostles on this occasion is very different from what he said to the crowds in Galilee. There Jesus had a broader group in mind, so his words apply to many more people.
Although the other sheep are not to eat the bread or drink the wine of the Memorial, what wonderful hope do they have according to John chapter 6?
The people Jesus called “other sheep” are not to eat the bread or drink the wine at the annual celebration of the Lord's Supper. But they do benefit from the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. They do this by demonstrating faith in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus.
On the other hand, those who must eat the bread and drink the wine indicate, by doing so, that they are part of the new covenant and are heirs of the heavenly Kingdom.
Therefore, John chapter 6 has much value for all of us, whether we are one of the anointed or the other sheep. He emphasizes that it is essential to demonstrate faith to have eternal life.
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