“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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” Jesus could not have said anything more offensive than this to the Jews. These people were meticulous about their food laws which allowed only certain meats to be eaten and forbade them to drink the blood of any animal. Moreover, their laws of ceremonial purity declared them ceremonially unclean if they so much touched a dead body. Here is Jesus telling them to eat his flesh and drink his blood! It is as though he is purposefully trying to put them off, and if this was the case, he was successful. Many people left off from following Jesus from this time. Jesus was offering them something amazing but he only wanted to give it to those who were really willing to receive it. Sometimes we say we want the new life God offers us when in fact we really only want God to make our old lives better. Jesus wanted to give people the opportunity to reject him which is why he teaches in this way. He will also give you the opportunity to reject him just to make sure you are clear on what you really want. Many people fall away from God offended by his not having met their expectations. But if we are really willing to be children of God we will stick with him no matter what.
Consider whether God is testing your willingness at this time.
Read John 6:41-71
