The Bible records many of Jesus’ sayings, but we have become so familiar with them, that we overlook how controversial many of them were:
“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you” (John 6:53).
Many were offended when Jesus said this and stopped following him (verse 66). We can understand why. Jews knew the Law, “The life of every creature is in its blood. That is why I have said to the people of Israel, ‘You must never eat or drink blood, for the life of any creature is in its blood’” (Leviticus 17:14).
However, Jesus was speaking metaphorically and pointing out the level of commitment required in true discipleship, but this was offensive to them. In order to have physical life we require food and drink, and Jesus is saying in order to have spiritual life we are to be so identified with him, he is like our food and drink. We are to be as dependent on Jesus, as we are for food and drink.
