“Defections at 6:66,” John 6:51-70

Introduction:  Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate.”  The dubious appeal of crowded lines.

(v51) “The bread I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”  Say again?!

I.        Wonder Meal: Living Bread

A.     (v53) Jesus—“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

1.      Jesus uses the Greek word sarx (flesh) instead of a more symbolic soma (body).

2.      He starts with that “truly, truly” meaning in today’s idiom, “I’m not kidding.”

3.      He states something very similar seven times in verses (v51, v53, v54, v55, v56, v57, v58)

B.     Even so, I don’t believe Jesus was calling for cannibalism

1.      Luke 22:19—Jesus took the Passover bread and broke it saying, “This is my body”

2.      (v57) “As the living Father sent me…whoever feeds on my will live because of me.”

3.      How did the people in the wilderness live because of God’s provision of manna?

II.       Hard to Swallow; Defections Follow

A.     (v60) This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?

1.      What makes the saying hard to swallow?  Exclusivity?  Cannibalism?  Peculiarity?

2.      Reasons why some reject Jesus and his teachings?  Why others are selective.

3.      (v65) “…no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

B.     (v66) “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”

1.      His teachings scandalize us.

2.      His actions and expectations embarrass us.

3.      1 Corinthians 1:23, “We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to…”

C.     (v67) “Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’”

1.      (v68) “Peter—“Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”

2.      (v69) “We have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Conclusion:   “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life.”  What we find along the way.

Psalm 23, “He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness.”  He prepares a table before me.  He anoints my head with oil.

Communion