The gospel for this Sunday, John 6:35-51, continues that from last week and develops the teaching that Jesus Christ Himself is the bread of heaven or the bread of life. In particular, let us focus on verses 47-51 (KJV)-
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
These words highlight the supernatural identity of Christ, the purpose of His Incarnation, and the benefits for Christian believers. Interpreters have sometimes argued over these words. Some have held that they are a general description of Christ's work; others have seen them as a prediction and foreshadowing of communion with the risen Christ through the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Personally, I have never liked such an "either/or" alternative concerning these words. A "both/and" interpretation seems both more natural and more edifying.
On a general level, believers are nourished by the living Christ- by His words, His teachings, His presence. He is the source of eternal life. Within this general meaning, one particular and important way that Christ comes to His people again and again is through His real presence promised in the Lord's Supper. This sacramental truth is seen in other passages. In Matthew 26:26, we read, "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body'” (ESV; see also Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, I Corinthians 11:24). St. Paul also tells us, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (I Corinthians 10:16-ESV).
Our Lord never abandons His followers in this fallen world. He keeps coming to us. He forgives us, nourishes us strengthens us, and offers us Himself to give us eternal life. He does these things through His presence in Word and Sacrament. Let us respond to His promises in faith!
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