Stewardship-Eating Jesus’ Flesh
Stewardship Moment
Read by Karen Berry
Sunday, November 6, 2022
From John 6:52-58 we hear these words.
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So 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. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This 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.”
Let’s be frank, this is a weird, almost creepy scripture passage. It makes Christians sound like cannibals or vampires! That is probably why Jesus’ opponents were so uneasy if not downright disgusted when Jesus made this declaration. In ancient times, it was believed that eating a defeated enemy’s flesh and drinking his blood imparted some of their power to you. Of course, we understand Jesus was speaking symbolically and foreshadowing the way he would convert the Passover meal, into a commemoration of his life. Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood means we belong to him. We take in some of Jesus’ power and goodness as we take the bread and cup in communion. We are empowered and encouraged to share with others just as Jesus shared.
Kevin Osbourn painted a picture to honor Nick Coleman, a Kentucky farmer who used Belgian draft horses instead of tractors to work his farm. Farmer Nick said this old-fashioned farming method was tied to his faith. “It has to be biblical,” he said. “I have to be a steward of everything God gave me.” Production of the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper is a fully involved process that requires care, sunlight, rain, patience, and stewardship. Jesus wants his followers to bear good fruit like a top-producing grapevine, to pour out for others a wine of redemption and refreshening and empowerment. Jesus wants his followers to be like a well-made loaf of bread, nourishing and filling. Above all else, Jesus wants us to share his love just as we share the cup and the loaf at the communion table—a place where all are welcome. Remember, our eating and drinking demonstrate that we are now a community of love that exists to glorify and do the will of the God who sent us Jesus Christ. Stewardship is less about what we do, and more about what God does for and with us.