John 6:53-54 says, “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.’”

This passage is a profound statement by Jesus that is central to Christian theology, particularly in understanding the Eucharist or Communion, a sacrament observed in many Christian traditions. Here, Jesus uses metaphorical language to express foundational spiritual truths about the nature of salvation and communion with Him.

“Eating the flesh of the Son of Man and drinking his blood” is symbolic of participating fully in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It’s about believing in Him, accepting His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and internalizing His teachings to live a life transformed by His grace. This act of faith is what brings eternal life, according to Christian belief.

The idea can be challenging to grasp, and indeed, many of Jesus’ followers at the time found this teaching difficult. However, throughout the Gospels, Jesus often spoke in parables and metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths, inviting his listeners to look beyond the literal meaning to the spiritual significance beneath.

Eternal life, in the context of John’s Gospel, is not just about life after death but a quality of life that begins now with a relationship with Jesus and continues beyond this world. To “eat” and “drink” of Him is to abide in Him—to remain in close, personal connection with Jesus, letting His life infuse ours.

In the broader context of Christian practice, this passage underpins the observance of the Lord’s Supper or Communion, where believers partake of bread and wine (or grape juice) as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, commemorating His sacrifice and celebrating the new covenant between God and humanity through Jesus. This sacrament serves as a physical reminder of the spiritual truths Jesus teaches in John 6:53-54, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with Him.