"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them."

John 6:54-56

Jesus uses shocking language here on purpose. He's talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. What? First off, this isn't about literal cannibalism. Far from it! Jesus is using a powerful word picture to describe complete spiritual dependence. When the crowd started grumbling about His teaching, Jesus didn't soften His words. He made them stronger to show that following Him requires everything, not just part of your life.

When you eat food, it becomes part of you. It doesn't stay separate in your stomach forever. Your body breaks it down and turns it into energy. It becomes your blood, your muscles, your bones. This is what Jesus means by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. He wants this same kind of total absorption in your spiritual life. He doesn't want to be an outside influence you visit sometimes.

Most people want Jesus as a spiritual snack. They grab a quick prayer when they're in trouble. They nibble on a Bible verse when they feel bad. They take communion once a month like vitamins. But Jesus is describing something completely different here. He's talking about total spiritual dependence, like your body depends on food to stay alive. Instead of having our daily bread, we are satisfied with the daily crumbs.

In our UNLEARN Discipleship series, we must unlearn casual consumption. We think following Jesus means adding Him to our busy lives. We believe spiritual growth comes from collecting religious experiences. We assume Sunday morning church and occasional devotions are enough. But Jesus is calling for something much deeper. He wants to become your life source, not just your spiritual hobby.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon. He carried special food packets designed to keep him alive in space. These weren't snacks or treats. They were essential nutrition that his body needed to survive. Without them, he would die. Jesus is saying He wants to be that kind of essential spiritual nutrition in your life. Spiritual snacking on the the Savior will not bring soul nourishment at all.

Quick spiritual snacks will NEVER satisfy deep spiritual hunger. Some believe Sunday sermons and fast prayers are enough nutrition for the whole week. Some assume we can live on spiritual leftovers from other people's experiences. But real disciples feast on Jesus daily. They gnaw on His words until they become part of their thinking. Disciples gnaw; not nibble.

Godseekers, your soul needs more than spiritual snacking. You were created for a feast, not fast food. Jesus offers Himself as real spiritual food that satisfies completely. When you truly feed on Him through His Word, prayer, and worship, He becomes part of who you are. His life flows through your thoughts, your choices, your relationships. You don't just learn about Jesus. You live on Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me for treating You like a spiritual snack when You offer to be my life source. I confess that I've been satisfied with quick prayers and occasional Bible reading when You want so much more. Help me to hunger for You daily like my body hungers for food. Teach me to feed on Your Word until it becomes part of my thinking. I want You to be my essential spiritual nutrition, not just my emergency spiritual snack. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• Are you snacking on Jesus or feasting on Him daily?
• What would change if you truly depended on Jesus like your body depends on food?

Step of Faith

Today, I will spend time feeding on God's Word and prayer, treating it as essential nutrition rather than optional spiritual snacking.