Re:Verse reading–John 6:52-69 (day four)
I am grateful for all of my English teachers I had growing up that taught me well. They taught me about the figure of speech called a metaphor. A metaphor is a word or phrase that is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. The Jews must not have understood about metaphors. Jesus used them often and they never understood what He was talking about. They wanted to apply the literal meaning to it and then reacted to their misinterpretation. Jesus will talk about the need to stay in Him in John 15 when He says to abide in Him. He uses the metaphor of the vine and branches, but does not mean to become a literal vine or branch.
Jesus gives a clue to their lack of understanding in verse 65. “…no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” Understanding of God’s Word is dependent on our faith response to God’s drawing. Having a relationship with God and having the Holy Spirit is like having the secret code breaker manual built in. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life…”
