From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66–69, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Why did they turn back? Because “this [unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you] is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60, NIV 1984). Taken literally, of course, it would be hard. But there was a symbolic meaning that not all were able to discern.
Literal – “If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.” (Leviticus 7:27, NIV 1984).
Symbolic – “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22, NIV 1984).
Of course, now we understand the symbolism behind what was instituted on the night that Jesus was betrayed. “Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26–28, NIV 1984).
My Advice – “Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.” (Ezekiel 39:17, NIV 1984). Not so hard of a teaching once you know.
The Brew Is A Musing 