Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Many English versions of the Bible tone down Jesus’ language. They use the word “eat,” but in the original language the word Jesus uses is “chew” or even “gnaw.” Really graphic. The religious leaders and even Jesus’ own disciples couldn’t handle it. They were shocked.
Are we shocked enough by Jesus today? By what Jesus calls us to do and be? Have we “toned down” Jesus to an acceptable level of church involvement in our busy lives? When you come across a part of the Bible that’s hard to take, how do you react or respond?
Prayer:
Loving God, God of Life, you comfort us and unsettle us. When your Word is hard to take, help us to pray, help us to listen, help us to grow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here are the scriptures featured in the series:
July 25: John 6:1-21
August 1 John 6:24-35
August 8 John 6:35, 41-51
August 15 John 6:51-58
August 22 John 6:56-69