Embracing the Challenge of Jesus as Bread of Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound teaching of Jesus as the Bread of Life, focusing on the challenging passage from John 6 where Jesus declares, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them." This teaching was difficult for many of His disciples to accept, leading some to turn away. Jesus, aware of their complaints, questioned if His words offended them and emphasized that it is the Spirit that gives life, not the flesh. He then asked the twelve disciples if they also wished to leave, to which Simon Peter responded with a declaration of faith, affirming that Jesus has the words of eternal life and is the Holy One of God.
We reflected on how this teaching challenges us today. It is easy to declare our belief, yet we often struggle with doubt and the difficulty of fully embracing Jesus' words. The narrative of a disciple dropout provided a personal perspective on encountering Jesus, highlighting the miracles and teachings that drew people to Him. This disciple witnessed Jesus turning water into wine at Cana, healing the sick, and performing numerous other miracles, which deepened his curiosity and faith in Jesus.
The story underscores the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when teachings are hard to understand or accept. It also reminds us that Jesus' words are not merely symbolic but are spirit and life, calling us to a deeper, more committed relationship with Him. As we partake in communion, we are invited to experience the true presence of Christ, sustaining us with His life-giving Spirit.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Challenge of Jesus' Teachings: Jesus' declaration about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was difficult for many to accept, leading some to turn away. This challenges us to confront our own doubts and the parts of Jesus' teachings that we find hard to understand. Faith requires us to trust in Jesus' words, even when they challenge our understanding. [27:28]
2. The Spirit Gives Life: Jesus emphasized that it is the Spirit that gives life, not the flesh. This teaches us that true life and understanding come from the Spirit, not from our human efforts or understanding. We are called to seek the Spirit's guidance in our faith journey, allowing the Spirit to bring life to Jesus' words in our hearts. [28:27]
3. Standing Firm in Faith: Simon Peter's response to Jesus' question, "Do you also wish to go away?" is a powerful declaration of faith. Peter recognized that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. This encourages us to stand firm in our faith, even when it is tested, and to recognize that true life is found in Jesus alone. [29:35]
4. The Reality of Communion: The teaching that communion is not merely symbolic but a real participation in the body and blood of Christ calls us to a deeper understanding of this sacrament. It is a profound mystery that invites us to experience the true presence of Christ, nourishing our souls and strengthening our faith. [30:36]
5. Witnessing Jesus' Miracles: The narrative of the disciple dropout who witnessed Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine and healing the sick, reminds us of the power and love of Jesus. These miracles are signs that point to Jesus' divine nature and His mission to bring life and healing. They encourage us to trust in Jesus' power and to seek His presence in our lives. [31:39]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:28] - Difficult Teachings of Jesus
[28:27] - The Spirit Gives Life
[29:35] - Simon Peter's Declaration of Faith
[30:36] - The Reality of Communion
[31:39] - The Disciple Dropout's Story
[32:23] - The Miracle at Cana
[33:13] - Jesus' Celebration and Teaching
[34:32] - Jesus in Jerusalem and Samaria
[36:06] - Healing the Officer's Son
[37:36] - Following Jesus and Witnessing Miracles
[40:04] - Thousands Healed
[42:42] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
[44:01] - Announcements and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 6:53-69
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of many of Jesus' disciples when He spoke about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? ([27:28])
2. How did Jesus respond to the complaints of His disciples regarding His difficult teaching? ([28:27])
3. What was Simon Peter's response when Jesus asked the twelve if they also wished to leave? ([29:35])
4. What miracle did the disciple dropout witness at the wedding in Cana? ([32:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized that it is the Spirit that gives life and not the flesh? How does this relate to our understanding of His teachings? ([28:27])
2. What does Simon Peter's declaration of faith reveal about his understanding of Jesus' identity and mission? ([29:35])
3. How does the narrative of the disciple dropout help us understand the impact of witnessing Jesus' miracles on one's faith journey? ([31:39])
4. In what ways does the teaching that communion is not merely symbolic but a real participation in the body and blood of Christ challenge our modern understanding of this sacrament? ([30:36])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found one of Jesus' teachings difficult to understand or accept. How did you respond, and what helped you to stand firm in your faith? ([27:28])
2. Jesus said that it is the Spirit that gives life. How can you seek the Spirit's guidance more actively in your daily faith journey? ([28:27])
3. Simon Peter recognized that Jesus has the words of eternal life. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus' words, especially during challenging times? ([29:35])
4. The disciple dropout witnessed many miracles of Jesus. How can recalling the miracles and works of Jesus in your life strengthen your faith today? ([31:39])
5. Communion is a profound mystery that invites us to experience the true presence of Christ. How can you approach the sacrament of communion with a deeper sense of reverence and understanding? ([30:36])
6. Think about a specific teaching of Jesus that you struggle with. What steps can you take to better understand and embrace this teaching in your life? ([27:28])
7. How can you share the impact of Jesus' miracles and teachings with others to encourage their faith journey? ([31:39])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Difficult Teachings
Jesus' declaration about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was difficult for many to accept, leading some to turn away. This challenges us to confront our own doubts and the parts of Jesus' teachings that we find hard to understand. Faith requires us to trust in Jesus' words, even when they challenge our understanding. Jesus' words are not just symbolic; they are spirit and life, calling us to a deeper, more committed relationship with Him. This teaching invites us to reflect on our own faith journey and the areas where we struggle to fully embrace Jesus' words.
[27:28]
John 6:60-61 (ESV): "When many of his disciples heard it, they said, 'This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?' But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, 'Do you take offense at this?'"
Reflection: What is one teaching of Jesus that you find difficult to understand or accept? How can you seek the Spirit's guidance to help you embrace this teaching more fully?
Day 2: The Spirit Gives Life
Jesus emphasized that it is the Spirit that gives life, not the flesh. This teaches us that true life and understanding come from the Spirit, not from our human efforts or understanding. We are called to seek the Spirit's guidance in our faith journey, allowing the Spirit to bring life to Jesus' words in our hearts. This means relying on the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and hearts, helping us to grasp the deeper truths of Jesus' teachings and to live them out in our daily lives.
[28:27]
John 6:63 (ESV): "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten you in your daily walk with Jesus? How can you make space in your life to listen to the Spirit's voice?
Day 3: Standing Firm in Faith
Simon Peter's response to Jesus' question, "Do you also wish to go away?" is a powerful declaration of faith. Peter recognized that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. This encourages us to stand firm in our faith, even when it is tested, and to recognize that true life is found in Jesus alone. Peter's declaration reminds us that our faith is not based on our understanding or circumstances but on the person of Jesus Christ, who is the Holy One of God.
[29:35]
John 6:68-69 (ESV): "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'"
Reflection: When your faith is tested, what truths about Jesus can you hold onto to help you stand firm? How can you remind yourself daily that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life?
Day 4: The Reality of Communion
The teaching that communion is not merely symbolic but a real participation in the body and blood of Christ calls us to a deeper understanding of this sacrament. It is a profound mystery that invites us to experience the true presence of Christ, nourishing our souls and strengthening our faith. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and His ongoing presence with us, sustaining us with His life-giving Spirit.
[30:36]
1 Corinthians 10:16 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"
Reflection: How can you approach communion with a deeper sense of reverence and awareness of Christ's presence? What steps can you take to prepare your heart and mind for this sacred act?
Day 5: Witnessing Jesus' Miracles
The narrative of the disciple dropout who witnessed Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine and healing the sick, reminds us of the power and love of Jesus. These miracles are signs that point to Jesus' divine nature and His mission to bring life and healing. They encourage us to trust in Jesus' power and to seek His presence in our lives. Reflecting on these miracles can strengthen our faith and remind us of Jesus' ability to work powerfully in our own circumstances.
[31:39]
John 2:11 (ESV): "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him."
Reflection: Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced a "miracle" or a powerful act of God in your life. How did it impact your faith? How can you hold onto that memory to strengthen your trust in Jesus today?
Quotes
1. "So Jesus says to the inner circle, the twelve, Does this saying offend you? Do you also wish to go away? Simon Peter, in that moment, stands firm on his faith and says, Lord, where would we go? You are the ones with the words to eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." [29:35] (27 seconds)
2. "I think that for most of us, we can see ourselves in both of those responses. We're quick to say, I believe. But we're also quick to say, but oh Lord, help my unbelief. Because this teaching is difficult. Every third grade boy in first communion class gets how difficult it is. And they don't sit nice and proper when they hear that we're eating and drinking body and blood. They have a response. And their response usually is something like, Gross!" [30:36] (38 seconds)
3. "Maybe one of the best ways for us to think about this is through the narrative of an eyewitness. Someone who was there that day. A disciple dropout. So, this disciple dropout, and this account was written mostly by Pastor Peter Perry. And it's got a little bit of Pastor Kari Ba sprinkled in there as well. Well, hello, Zion of Buffalo, Minnesota." [31:39] (34 seconds)
4. "Jesus wasn't like the Rabbi... Don't worry. that I heard that talked more about how terrible people are, he wasn't like that. He spent way, way more time talking about how great and amazing God the Father is. And let me tell you something, he could tell a good story. In the same story, one minute you'd be laughing out loud, and then the next minute you'd find like a tear coming down your cheek because what Jesus said just meant so much and came right into your heart." [33:13] (39 seconds)
5. "I heard one of your pastors used to say they weren't coincidences, they were God incidences, and maybe that's true. So this time when Jesus left Cana, I went with him. I saw some incredible things. I saw people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed. I saw thousands of people healed." [37:36] (23 seconds)
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