Is John 6 a metaphor?

Is John 6 a metaphor?

Metaphors speak of one thing in terms of another, and have a special revelatory capacity. The close association of Jesus with the eucharist in Christian experience certainly gives the eucharistic metaphor in John 6 an unusual power, but this is also the reason why it is so often taken literally.

What does eating the living bread mean to us?

Jesus declared that He is the living bread that came down from heaven. The living bread is referred to Jesus’ flesh, his body to be eaten by those who want to live forever, and his blood as the drink. Jesus had offered himself as a living sacrifice so they may live in him.

Is Eucharist a metaphor?

The Eucharist is metaphorical cannibalism, which emphasizes spiritual sustenance. Religions like Christianity are often said to be cannibalistic because of their belief in the Eucharist. By eating and drinking the bread and wine that symbolizes Christ’s body and blood, they practice the very idea they disapprove of.

What does Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John tell us about the meaning of the Eucharist?

John 6 evokes Eucharist as meal when Jesus as Wisdom-Sophia gathers friends to “eat of my bread and drink of my wine.” The Eucharist as sacrifice, willing self-giving for others, is evoked when Jesus speaks of his flesh and his blood.

What does Jesus mean by the bread of Life?

I am the bread of life
Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” He is saying that ultimately, he can satisfy our deepest needs and longings. He can make us feel “full” and overflowing with blessing.

What is the symbolic meaning of bread?

Bread becomes the symbol of the supreme gift from God to humankind—eternal life, the body of Christ in the Eucharist: “Take this and eat, for this is my body.” Manna symbolizes bread and prefigures the Christian Eucharist. It is a sign of the generosity of God toward humankind.

Why did Jesus call himself “the bread of life”?

All of this plays into the scene being described in John 6 when Jesus used the term “bread of life.” He was trying to get away from the crowds to no avail. He had crossed the Sea of Galilee, and the crowd followed Him. After some time, Jesus inquires of Philip how they’re going to feed the crowd.

What does the Bible say about the bread of life?

When the people ask for this bread, the Bible records, “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’” ( John 6:35 ). The bread of life is not physical bread, but the bread of spiritual renewal found in the salvation of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Why did Jesus eat bread at the Last Supper?

The culmination of this symbol of bread as the saving nature of Jesus comes at the Last Supper. “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’” ( Matthew 26:26 ).

Why did Jesus use bread as a metaphor in the Bible?

At that point in history, especially in Jesus’ culture, bread would have been understood as a nutritional necessity. It also has historical significance for the Jewish people, harkening back to God’s life-sustaining manna, which kept their people alive in the desert. Jesus chose bread as His metaphor intentionally.