Consuming Christ

[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. [57] As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. [58] This is that Bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this Bread shall live for ever. ~John 6:54-58 KJV

When Jesus first spoke these words, many of His disciples left Him. Obviously, these were the ones who were only there “for the show.” They were not truly “thinking” because they did not consider His miracles.  Plus, they didn’t desire to even ask what He meant by His words because they were invested in their own logic.

Most of what I’ve learned through the Bible either came by experiencing Him or with intense personal study and a written report.  Here is what I’ve learned:

“Eat My Flesh”

Jesus’ flesh is of His body. That body is also the living Word of the Holy Bible. Christ is the Word of God.

So, when you eat food, three things happen: Consumption, Digestion, and Expulsion

This means that Jesus is saying:
Consumption:
Consume His Word
Digestion:
Digest it by meditating on it and applying it; draw its nutrients and become like Christ.  IF this is the case, the Holy Spirit will come to live in the Christian with power to help them to be holy.
Expulsion:
Expulsion is a natural occurance and not something you typically plan because it happens. You will start evangelizing, teaching, and preaching. This is why the first two steps of applying the Bible with faith are so important. Otherwise, one will not have the desire to preach, teach, or share.

The final result of the expulsion is the development of the body of Christ, which is the church. If the doctrine is followed perfectly, Christianity shines as a pure and undefiled religion with everyone building disciples through love and purity.

“Drink My Blood”

The scriptures tell us that His blood cleanses us from sin and unrighteousness. It cleanses us because Jesus became our sacrificial lamb because life is in the blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. ~Leviticus 17:11 KJV

Even science confirms that life is in the blood. Thus, we needed His blood to give us life because we were dead in our sins. Repentance cleanses us from our wicked ways.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. ~1 John 1:7 KJV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~1 John 1:9 KJV

Living a life of repentance, which is turning from our wicked ways, is an act of being cleansed by His blood. Thus, obeying His command to drink His blood cleanses us from unrighteousness by confessing our sins and turning away from them.

Furthermore, His offering of wine poured out is His love poured out because He gave Himself as a sacrifice. Therefore, we are accepting His offering. Not only do we accept it, we imitate it.

Communion

Taking holy communion is also a physical and visual act of remembering what Christ has done for us so that we never forget the details about loving one another and living sacrificially. The apostle Paul explains,

[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: [24] And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, “Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.” [25] After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it , in remembrance of Me.” [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come. ~1 Corinthians 11:23-26 KJV

We imitate Christ. We deny ourselves of this world; its temptation to retaliate or live according to our lusts; and we endure it. We too, become living sacrifices.

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. ~John 6:53 KJV

To understand how to become righteous according to God, in faith we consume the Bible day and night resulting in a desire to preach. We also drink of righteousness and good works, which is repentance from unrighteousness. Lastly, we take communion to remember the meaning of our Lord’s great and painful sacrifice. Communion reminds us of how we must live and thus, we live it.

And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. ~Revelation 19:13 KJV

Poured out like wine