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Question

What does eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood mean?

Quick Answer

"We eat Christ’s flesh and drink His blood when by faith we lay hold upon Him as our Saviour. {Ms31-1889.39}

Receiving Christ as an indwelling Saviour, through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, is key to a victorious life. Christ's presence is what brings victory, for of ourselves, we have not victory. We are told that we are utterly unable to overcome. God has made provision for our lack in Jesus. In receiving Him, we receive His victory, which the Holy Spirit makes our victory.—Dan

Bible Answer

John 6:53-58 (NKJV) "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. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 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 15:4 (NKJV) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Inspired Answer

“Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” [John 6:53.] The Saviour explained this statement, which seemed greatly to offend His disciples, as requiring an impossibility. “When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [Verses 61-63.] {Ms31-1889.38}

Christ explained the meaning of His words so clearly that none need stumble over them. His statement regarding eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God is to be taken in a spiritual sense. We eat Christ’s flesh and drink His blood when by faith we lay hold upon Him as our Saviour. {Ms31-1889.39}

Christ used the figure of eating and drinking to represent that nearness to Him which all must have who are at last partakers with Him in His glory. The temporal food we eat is assimilated, giving strength and solidity to the body. In a similar manner, as we believe and receive the words of the Lord Jesus, they become a part of our spiritual life, bringing light and peace, hope and joy, and strengthening the soul as physical food strengthens the body." {Ms31-1889.40}

Further Thoughts

"Christ is to be enthroned within, as the source of all power and supremacy. Let us look to God in faith, saying, “Lead us, strengthen us, inspire us by Thy Holy Spirit to do Thy will on earth as it is done in heaven.” This will necessitate our receiving into the heart an abundance of grace from Christ Jesus day by day, hour by hour." { 18MR 102.5 }

"The honor of God, the honor of Jesus Christ, is involved in the perfection of your character. Your work is to co-operate with Christ, that you may be complete in Him. In being united to Him by faith, believing and receiving Him, you become part of Himself. Your character is His glory revealed in you. And when you shall appear in His presence, you will find the benediction awaiting you, “Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” {Ms44-1897}

"How abundant is the gift to our world of the Holy Spirit! It is beyond the power of language to express the blessings it brings to God’s people. If received and appreciated, the Holy Spirit will make us holy, Christlike. Through its agency we are united with Christ, partakers of the divine nature. The reception of the Holy Spirit in its fullness is the great need of the church today.—Letter 178, 1907, p. 3. (To J. E. White, May 17, 1907.)" {2MR 15.3}