Eat my flesh, drink my blood.

[Lion King]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

Great question!
I would assume it means what He literally said

 

[Tzaousios]

Great question!
I would assume it means what He literally said

No, of course not! All the literalist Protestants have chosen to depart from their usual method of exegesis and say that this is not literal.

 

[tz620q]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

If one looks at the Paschal Lamb, not only was it sacrificed; but it was eaten.

 

[pathfinder777]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

Most Christians historically have interpreted these words to have both symbolic and realistic meaning...
Paul F Bradshaw's Eucharistic Origins is a good read on the topic.

 

[MrPolo]

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

I think Paul explains fairly directly that this is in reference to the Real Presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

1 Cor. 11:27-29 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.​

You see bread with your eyes. But you discern the body. This is the essence of a sacramental sign.

 

[Johnny Todd]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

well I would say the gospels pretty much make it clear, just as Jesus own words makes it cystal clear, His body and blood were the replacement of the Lamb that normally was sacrificed and its blood put on the door post, and its flesh was eaten.......only difference was there was a need for a new lamb every year, but with Jesus it was one sacrifice for ever

 

[daydreamergurl15]

I always assume it to be the Lord's Supper.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins....."--Matthew 26:26-27​

 

[Lion King]

Thank you for the replies.

Since Christ said that whoever "eats eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life", does it automatically mean that one can attain eternal life by partaking in the LORD's supper?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Thank you for the replies.

Since Christ said that whoever "eats eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life", does it automatically mean that one can attain eternal life by partaking in the LORD's supper?

No. But it does mean that in the Supper we receive Christ who is our Salvation and that by Him and in Him only do we have eternal life.

It's not "do this and your reward will be going to heaven when you die" it's God saying, "I am giving Myself to you and I am saving you because I love you."

-CryptoLutheran

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by LittleLambofJesus Great question!
I would assume it means what He literally said

No, of course not! All the literalist Protestants have chosen to depart from their usual method of exegesis and say that this is not literal.

Another words....pick and choose which parts are symbolic and which are literal?

http://www.christianforums.com/t7599914-2/#post58849648
How should Christians read and interpret the book of Genesis?

Originally Posted by artybloke All the Bible is symbolic. Some of it also happens to be literal history; but not much of it, and it doesn't matter if it is.

Nah.

 

[Lion King]

"..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, and I will raise him up at the last day.."

It says right in the above that whoever eats Jesus Christ's flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life, to which many of you say that Christ was specifically referring to the LORD's supper by this statement. However, if that were true, then why do people actually die or fall sick from unworthily partaking in the LORD's supper (1 Corinthians 11:30)?

 

[Sieben]

i still believe it means to eat his flesh (believe in his baptism) and to drink his blood (believe in his crucifixion)

 

[judechild]

then why do people actually die or fall sick from unworthily partaking in the LORD's supper (1 Corinthians 11:30)?

Because "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).

Jesus also says "whoever believes in [Me] may have eternal life" (Jn. 3:15), but in His parables, those who believe and are waiting for him - but are unprepared by their fault - are condemned:

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them... At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' ... The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' / But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.... Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' / But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you" (Mt. 25:1-3, 8-9, 11-12; see also Mt. 22:11-14).

Jesus' words are true: "'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.'" This is because taking the Eucharist is a true and complete reception of Christ present in the same. But since it is His Body and Blood, it is holier than any other thing, and so must be received properly. The mishandling of holy things in the Old Testament was a terrible offence (like that one unfortunate man who only touched the Ark because it was about to fall). The Eucharist is the constant acceptence of Christ that goes far beyond mental activity, and it is upheld in both John and St. Paul.

 

[Lion King]

Because "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).

Jesus also says "whoever believes in [Me] may have eternal life" (Jn. 3:15), but in His parables, those who believe and are waiting for him - but are unprepared by their fault - are condemned:

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them... At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' ... The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' / But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.... Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' / But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you" (Mt. 25:1-3, 8-9, 11-12; see also Mt. 22:11-14).

Jesus' words are true: "'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.'" This is because taking the Eucharist is a true and complete reception of Christ present in the same. But since it is His Body and Blood, it is holier than any other thing, and so must be received properly. The mishandling of holy things in the Old Testament was a terrible offence (like that one unfortunate man who only touched the Ark because it was about to fall). The Eucharist is the constant acceptence of Christ that goes far beyond mental activity, and it is upheld in both John and St. Paul.

Judechild, I do not think you understood my question very well.

"Whosoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."John 6:54

Keyword: Whosoever.

Since you say that the above statement refers to the LORD's supper, does it mean that anyone who participates in it receives eternal life?

 

[Rick Otto]

The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, 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, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:52-58

What did Jesus Christ mean by those words?

I think this guy gets it right:
John 6:52

Ver. 52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves[SIZE=+1],.... Fell to cavilling and disputing one among another; some understanding Christ, and others not; some being for him, and vindicated what he said; and others being against him, and who were the majority, objected,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]saying how can this man give us his flesh to eat[SIZE=+1]? which is to be understood, not physically, but as morally impossible and unlawful; since, with the Jews, it was not lawful to eat the flesh of any creature alive, and much less the flesh of man; for the Jews understood Christ of a corporeal eating of his flesh, being strangers to a figurative or spiritual eating of it by faith, in which sense he meant it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]John 6:53[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Ver. 53. Then Jesus said unto them[SIZE=+1],.... The Jews, who were litigating this point among themselves:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]verily, verily, I say unto you[SIZE=+1]; or you may assure yourselves of the truth of what follows,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you[SIZE=+1]: by "the son of man", Christ means himself; under which title he often speaks of himself; because it was a title of the Messiah under the Old Testament; and was expressive of the truth of his human nature, though as attended with weakness and infirmities. The "flesh" and "blood" of Christ do not design those distinct parts of his body; much less as separate from each other; nor the whole body of Christ, but his whole human nature; or Christ, as having united a perfect human nature to him, in order to shed his blood for the remission of sin, and to offer up his soul and body a sacrifice for it: and the eating of these is not to be understood of a corporeal eating of them, as the Capernaites understood them; and since them the Papists, who affirm, that the bread and wine in the Lord's supper are transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ, and so eaten: but this is not to be understood of eating and drinking in the Lord's supper, which, as yet, was not instituted; and some, without participating of this, have spiritual life in them now, and will enjoy eternal life hereafter; and all that partake of that ordinance have not the one, nor shall have the other: and besides, having a principle of spiritual life in the soul, is previously necessary to a right eating of the supper of the Lord. These words, understood in this sense, once introduced infants to the Lord's supper; as misinterpretation of Joh 3:5 brought in the baptism of them. But the words design a spiritual eating of Christ by faith. To eat the flesh, and drink the blood of Christ, is to believe that Christ is come in the flesh, and is truly and really man; that his flesh is given for the life of his people, and his blood is shed for their sins, and this with some view and application to themselves: it is to partake of, and enjoy the several blessings of grace procured by him, such as redemption, pardon, peace, justification, &c. and such a feeding upon him as is attended with growth in grace, and in the knowledge of him, and is daily to be repeated, as our corporeal food is, otherwise persons have no life in them: without this there, is no evidence of life in them; not such live as feed on sinful pleasures, or on their own righteousness; only such that believe in Christ are living souls; and without this there is nothing to support life; everything else that a man eats tends to death; but this is what will maintain and preserve a spiritual life; and without this there is no just expectation of eternal life; but where there is this, there is good reason to expect it, and such shall enjoy it: some copies and versions read, "ye shall not have life in you"; eternal life. Now, though the acts of eating and drinking do not give the right to eternal life, but the flesh, blood, and righteousness of Christ, which faith lays hold, and feeds upon; yet it is by faith the right is claimed; and between these acts of faith, and eternal life, there is an inseparable connection.[/SIZE]

Continues here:
John Gill's Exposition of the whole Bible.
[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

 

[Sieben]

What if you messed up and drank his flesh and ate his blood? Would you get chastised

 

[Dorothea]

It means just what He said it means, literally.

 

[judechild]

"Judechild, I do not think you understood my question very well."

I understood your question perfectly fine. You're asking does "Whosoever" mean without exception or qualification does everyone who knowingly or unknowingly take the Eucharist recieve eternal life.

My simple answer is no. But the question is too complex for a simple yes or no. Everyone who participates in it does have eternal life, because it is the Body and Blood of Christ and that is the source of salvation, but the person who recieves it must recieve in faith or St. Paul has an unfortunate prognosis. That's the reason Jesus says (in the Bread of Life Discourse) that faith is necessary first, "for this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life" (v. 40). Then they recieve "My flesh [which] is true food, and my bood [which] is true drink" (v. 54). The reception of the Flesh and Blood of Jesus is still what we would call necessary for Salvation because He says "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you'" (v. 53).

The spiritual life is not only mental activity, or a one time occurence; it's a life.

 

[Dorothea]

What if you messed up and drank his flesh and ate his blood? Would you get chastised

I am not sure how that can happen...at least not in the Orthodox Church because you are given His Body and Blood on a tiny teaspoon - bread, wine, and warm water all together are in the chalice.