“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?'” John 6:53, 55-57, 60
The Lord Jesus wants us to know Him in an intimate way, to realize a deep, personal union with Him. To press home the point about intimacy, Jesus shared this emphatic analogy with His disciples, after which, many deserted Him.
The disciples were right about one thing: This is a hard teaching. Taken literally, these words are repulsive. Symbolically, they teach us the beautiful truth that the Christian depends on the indwelling presence of God for everything. Jesus asks us to feed on Him or, as Psalm 34:8 invites us, to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” And when it comes to drinking His blood? Song of Songs 1:2 says, “For your love is more delightful than wine.” In other words, we must abide in Him and let His Word abide in us if we are to know Christ in a deep and intimate way.
Deep devotion to the Lord Jesus energizes service that is tiring or rigorous. Affection for Him that is warm and heartfelt gives boundless joy to every task. Fervent love for Jesus takes the squeamishness out of every duty that seems distasteful.
This sort of life that sustains and invigorates service can only be realized through an intimate fellowship with Him.
Sometimes, Lord, I expect intimacy with You without taking time to feed on and drink in Your life. This day, I want to abide in You and have Your Word abide in me.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
