A FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND
John 6:56-69
Like Nicodemus who struggled with the concept of being born again (John 3:4; John 3:9), the Jews in the Capernaum synagogue (John 6:59) struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about (John 6:41; John 6:52). Jesus’ response (John 6:53-57) is only a veiled reference to the communion in its immediate context. However, since these words were spoken at the season of Passover it is not inappropriate to refer to “eating His flesh and drinking His blood” at Communion, provided we understand that this is only a figurative expression and symbolic action for “believing unto everlasting life” (cf. John 6:47).
Again it is a sad reflection upon humankind that with such weighty teaching many of Jesus’ would-be and so-called “disciples” turned back (John 6:60; John 6:66). However, since 'We are not of those who draw back' (Hebrews 10:39), let us be like Peter and the eleven who remained: “We believe and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). Amen.
