Episode 327 The Bread of Life (John 6:35-69)

This week BibleWorm reads John 6:35-69--which is 10 verses beyond the narrative lectionary, because we just couldn’t help ourselves. Why does Jesus lean so hard into the shocking language that his followers ought to eat his flesh and drink his blood? What is it about food – as a universal human need, and also as an appetite that can go way beyond need - that opens up what Jesus is asking of his followers? Does the metaphor suggest an elevation of spiritual needs in place of physical ones, or does it wrap them ever more closely together? This teaching is difficult, say the disciples - indeed it is.