DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO OCCASIONS

 Some religious people claim that Jesus' words found at John 6:53 about eating his flesh and drinking his blood set a pattern for the Lord's Evening Meal because later on that occasion, he used wording that was somewhat similar. (Matthew 26;26-28) They claim that everyone who attends the Lord's Evening meal should partake of the bread and the wine that are passed among those in attendance. Is that correct? It is important that we investigate the validity of that claim because each year millions around the globe gather with us for that event. We will not a number of differences between what is stated at John 6:53 and what Jesus said at the Lord's Evening Meal. 

Let us note two differences between those occasions. First, when and where did Jesus speak the words recorded at John 6:53-56? He did so to a crowd of Jew in Galilee in 32 C. E.  That was about a year before he instituted the Lord's Evening Meal in Jerusalem. Second, to whom were his words addressed? Most of his listeners in Galilee were more interested in satisfying their temporary physical needs than in satisfying their spiritual needs. (Joh 6:26) In fact, when Jesus said something that they found hard to understand, they quickly lost their faith in him. Even some of his disciples stopped following him. (John 6:14, 36, 42, 60, 64, 66) Contrast that event with what happened about a year later in 33 C.E. when Jesus instituted the Lord's Evening Meal. On that occasion, his loyal 11 apostles were with him even though they did not fully understand all that he was teaching. Still, unlike most of those in Galilee, his faithful apostles were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God who had come down from heaven. (Matthew16:16) He commended them: "You are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials." (Luke 22:28) These two differences alone undermine the claim that Jesus's words found at John 6:53 set the pattern for the Lord's Evening Meal. And there is further evidence. 

Next time: YOU ARE INVOLVED

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