John 6:51-58 (NRSV)
Read John 6:51-58 on biblegateway.com
Verse 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." Verse 52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Verse 53So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Verse 54Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; Verse 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Verse 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Verse 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. Verse 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
Devotion
A group of college students gathered around a visiting pastor to talk about their future. What would they believe in five or ten years from now?
One student noted there was so much new information in her life that she had no idea what she would believe in the near future. Another student mentioned with disappointment that his church was so stiff that there was no room for faith-building worship. The discussion continued as each student shared their thoughts on what they believe.
Finally, a last word. The tall, skinny farm boy with untied sneakers simply said, "I'll stake my life on it - Jesus came out of the grave."
That's the Jesus story. All of him - flesh and blood - given. "Whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Prayer
Father, fill us with your bread. Amen.