What does it mean to eat Christ’s flesh and drink His blood?

Obviously, when Jesus told His disciples they must eat His flesh and drink His blood, He was not talking about cannibalism. Jesus said, “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:32, 33). He was offering Himself as spiritual food that we might eat and live.

During the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples bread and said, “Take, eat; this is My body” (Matthew 26:26). He next gave them grape juice and said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many” (verse 28). He was essentially explaining, “Unless you take Me personally into your life— My teachings, My example—and it becomes part of you, then you cannot have eternal life.” We need to invite Christ’s Spirit into us.

We obtain spiritual food from the Word of God. It doesn’t matter how hungry I am; I can’t have someone else eat it for me. Eating is something everyone must do for himself. Likewise, we must personally get to know Jesus through the study of His Word, the bread. He comes to life in us through His Word; His Word quickens our minds and our spirits. In the way physical food gives us energy, spiritual food gives us spiritual energy. It sustains us.

Another form of spiritual nourishment is found in the story of the woman at the well. Jesus’ disciples brought Him some food and He said, “I have food to eat of which you do not know” (John 4:32). The disciples wondered, “Where did He get food?” He said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (verse 34). So when we do the will of Christ, we’re feeding our souls.

Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we embrace the gospel anew, the new covenant that Christ made with us, and the life and teachings that represent the body and the blood of Jesus.

Key Bible Texts

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. (John 6:53 KJV)