https://youtu.be/cvoMV5LXdk4?si=Ab9QkYmcdz31bQzz
Some religious people claim that Jesus’ words found at John 6:53:"unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you"
about eating his flesh and drinking his blood set a pattern for the Lord’s Evening Meal because on that later occasion, he used wording that was somewhat similar. (Matt. 26:26-28) They claim that everyone who attends the Lord’s Evening Meal should partake of the bread and the wine that are passed among those in attendance. Is that correct? It is important that we investigate the validity of that claim because each year millions around the globe gather with us for that event. We will note a number of differences between what is stated at John 6:53 and what Jesus said at the Lord’s Evening Meal.8. What are some differences between the two occasions? (See also pictures.)Let us note two differences between these occasions. First, when and where did Jesus speak the words recorded at John 6:53-56? He did so to a crowd of Jews in Galilee in 32 C.E. That was about a year before he instituted the Lord’s Evening Meal in Jerusalem. Second, to whom were his words addressed? Most of his listeners in Galilee were more interested in satisfying their temporary physical needs than in satisfying their spiritual needs. (John 6:26) In fact, when Jesus said something that they found hard to understand, they quickly lost their faith in him. Even some of his disciples stopped following him. (John 6:14, 36, 42, 60, 64, 66) Contrast that event with what happened about a year later in 33 C.E. when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Evening Meal. On that occasion, his 11 loyal apostles were with him even though they did not fully understand all that he was teaching. Still, unlike most of those in Galilee, his faithful apostles were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God who had come down from heaven. (Matt. 16:16) He commended them: “You are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials.” (Luke 22:28) These two differences alone undermine the claim that Jesus’ words found at John 6:53 set the pattern for the Lord’s Evening Meal. And there is further evidence.
The argument presented in the text makes a distinction between Jesus’ discourse in John 6 and the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26, suggesting that the differences in context undermine the claim that all Christians are meant to partake in the bread and the wine. However, these distinctions are largely irrelevant for several reasons.
1. **The Audience and Timing are Secondary to the Message**: While it is true that Jesus gave the discourse in John 6 to a crowd in Galilee a year before the Last Supper, the timing and audience are not the primary focus. The essence of Jesus' teaching in John 6:53-56 centers on the necessity of spiritual communion with him, symbolized through eating his flesh and drinking his blood. This teaching aligns with the later institution of the Lord's Supper, where the bread and wine represent Jesus’ body and blood. The fact that one group was less faithful than the apostles at the time doesn’t cancel the command for ALL to partake in his body and blood.
2. **Jesus' Words in John 6 Set a Universal Spiritual Principle**: Jesus’ statement that "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53) points to a foundational spiritual principle, not a one-time event for a specific audience. It is a declaration of what is necessary for salvation and ongoing spiritual life. This teaching transcends the particular audience of Jews in Galilee and speaks to all who seek to follow him. In fact, the very rejection by many of the Galileans only highlights the difficulty and importance of the teaching rather than limiting its application.
3. **The Faithfulness of the Apostles Doesn't Restrict Communion**: While it is true that the apostles remained faithful when others turned away, this doesn't imply that the Lord's Supper is only for a select, spiritually elite group. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to remind and renew all believers in the sacrificial death of Christ. When Jesus instituted the Lord's Evening Meal, he said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19), a commandment given to his apostles, who were representatives of the wider Christian community. The notion that only a special group is invited to partake is inconsistent with the New Testament’s teachings on the inclusivity of Christ’s sacrifice for all believers (1 Corinthians 11:26).
4. **The Lord’s Supper is a Continuing Ordinance for All Believers**: The practice of the Lord’s Supper is affirmed in early Christian communities as a regular practice for all Christians, not just the apostles or a chosen few (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). Paul's teaching makes it clear that the act of sharing in the bread and wine is central to Christian worship, available to all who believe. His warnings about partaking in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27) are about the attitude of the participant, not a restriction on who is allowed to partake.
In conclusion, the distinctions between the events in John 6 and the Last Supper, such as the audience or timing, do not undermine the universality of Jesus’ teaching about the bread and wine. All Christians are called to participate in the Lord’s Supper as a reflection of their communion with Christ and as a means of remembering his sacrifice. The reasons given in the text fail to address the broader biblical context and the theological significance of Jesus’ words and actions.