[John 6:51-58 KJV] “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. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever”.
I believe many of the conflicts in the world tonight is as a result of our misunderstanding of communication. Many of us pretend to be listening when others are speaking. Many of us don’t listen at all, and many more don’t even know how to listen. At least, whenever you are listening; listen to find out what, why, and how.
In the text quoted above, the Jews were upset with the teaching because they did not take their time to understand exactly;
- What our Lord meant by “eat my flesh and drink my blood“.
- Why it was important to eat His flesh and drink His blood.
- How to eat his flesh and drink His blood.
If they had, it would have been easier to follow and buy into what He was saying. Whenever you are listening; whether at home, in church, on television or radio; strive to understand what exactly the theme is all about, why it is important, and how to walk by it.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Becareful what you hear, how your hear, and why you heard. You gain understanding when you hear right. Whenever you are listening to any man, these are the three things you must note: what is he or she trying to say, why is he saying that, and how does it apply to life.
For instance, what did the Lord mean by saying “eat my flesh and drink my blood?” He meant the cup of blessing. He was refering to the Passover which the jews were already eating. Why were they angry because they did not get it well.
Why was He saying they must eat His flesh and drink His blood? It is because those who eat the heavenly meal abide in Him and shall live by Him.
How were they going to eat His flesh and drink His blood? By simply blessing bread and wine and eating together.
If only we would listen well, we will hear and mature and grow.
Stay blessed; I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
