Is Jesus really present in bread and wine?
Defending The Real Presence of Christ in The Eucharist using the New World Translation.
JW's Come Home to The Catholic Church
It is a well known fact that many who are Jehovah's Witnesses were actually raised as Catholics. When I think about all of the many people who walk away from Christ in The Eucharist, it really saddens me. It saddens me because Christ wants us to follow him wherever he asks us to go and to believe in him no matter what and no matter how difficult the teaching seems to be.
Do you believe that?
This article is about the Gospel of John chapter 6, of the scriptures. I will not quote the chapter in its entirety here, but after you read this article please go back to your bible and read the chapter prayerfully and entirely. I am using the NWT and also the KJV when context comparison is necessary.
At the end of this article there will also be a list of extra verses for you to reference, so please take a good look at those. The John 6 verses quoted here are from (John 6:48-69 of the NWT)
Let us begin :)
“I am the bread of life." says our Lord, but what does he mean by this?
Bread is something that we eat, something that sustains our life. Yet, Christ is not talking about simple bread that merely sustains our earthly life. He is talking about an imperishable bread that gives us eternal life!
"Your forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness and yet they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die."
Jesus is telling the people that the manna their forefathers ate in Exodus, is inferior to the bread that he is talking about now. "Here I am raining down bread for you from the heavens..." (Ex 16:4)
In biblical typology the manna is a "type" of the body, and blood of Christ, his flesh which he is talking about in John 6. The manna is a sign that points to the True Bread from heaven, the Eucharist!
Jesus explains, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and for a fact, the bread that I will give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.”
This new heavenly bread is the flesh of Christ!
"Your forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness and yet they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die."
Jesus is telling the people that the manna their forefathers ate in Exodus, is inferior to the bread that he is talking about now. "Here I am raining down bread for you from the heavens..." (Ex 16:4)
In biblical typology the manna is a "type" of the body, and blood of Christ, his flesh which he is talking about in John 6. The manna is a sign that points to the True Bread from heaven, the Eucharist!
Jesus explains, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and for a fact, the bread that I will give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.”
This new heavenly bread is the flesh of Christ!
How did the people take the message?
They must have understood him figuratively, or symbolically right?
And, if they understood him figuratively was there any danger of Christ losing true followers over it?
Do you think Christ would risk losing his followers over one symbolic teaching?
And, not just one teaching, but the apex of all his teachings and one of the last teachings given to his Apostles before his death! Or, did he save the best, most important, and most testing of his teachings for last?
Let us explore the Bible answers to these important questions
"Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Was Christ talking about cannibalism, was he really saying we must "drink his blood?" This is what they must have been thinking, I'm sure of it.
Notice that his language only intensifies, and gets more serious at their concerns.
"So Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day;"
The Jews doubted, and argued about what Jesus was saying to them, and rightly so since the Jews were forbidden to eat blood, and of course human flesh.
Christ knowing the law, and what the Jews were thinking continues even more intensely...
"for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I in union with him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will live because of me."
This bread that he is talking about, truly is his flesh, his blood is truly a supernatural drink for us! Also, "Feeds on me" implies a constant food source just like the manna was for the Israelites, a daily bread!
"This is the bread that came down from heaven. It is not as when your forefathers ate and yet died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said these things as he was teaching in a synagogue in Ca·per′na·um."
Unlike the manna which was only a type of Christ's flesh, the Eucharist is offered in thanksgiving to God, and will allow us to live forever provided that we feed on it. Again, this implies a constant food source, a continued food source that can be eaten daily.
"When they heard this, many of his disciples said: “This speech is shocking; who can listen to it?”
We could imagine here that Jesus knowing his disciples were having trouble with this new teaching would have to explain that he was only speaking figuratively or risk losing followers over it.
Like I asked before, would Jesus really risk losing followers over a figure of speech?
"But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you? What, therefore, if you should see the Son of man ascending to where he was before?"
In other words, if you think this is hard to believe, you think this is shocking, just wait until you see me ascend to the Father will you believe then? Remember Christ wants belief without seeing, without fully understanding some things, he wants faith.
"Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29) Saint Augustine says, "do not understand in order to believe, but believe in order to understand"
Out Lord continues...
"But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you? What, therefore, if you should see the Son of man ascending to where he was before?"
In other words, if you think this is hard to believe, you think this is shocking, just wait until you see me ascend to the Father will you believe then? Remember Christ wants belief without seeing, without fully understanding some things, he wants faith.
"Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29) Saint Augustine says, "do not understand in order to believe, but believe in order to understand"
Out Lord continues...
"It is the spirit that is life-giving; the flesh is of no use at all. The sayings that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."
"Here it is" you say!
This is the part where Jesus is telling us what he really means. This is the part where he says that it's all figurative, and not anything else, right?
He tells us that it is the spirit that gives life, this is true. Christ's body and blood is spiritual, super-substantial food from heaven, and it is the spirit that gives life, and realness to the Eucharist. It is the spirit that makes it all possible.
But, what about the next part? "the flesh is of no use at all."
He tells us that it is the spirit that gives life, this is true. Christ's body and blood is spiritual, super-substantial food from heaven, and it is the spirit that gives life, and realness to the Eucharist. It is the spirit that makes it all possible.
But, what about the next part? "the flesh is of no use at all."
I answer, he is not talking about his own flesh, when he says this.
Why?
Jesus just literally said that his flesh has the power to grant us eternal life! And isn't his flesh the same flesh that availed forgiveness of our sins, and salvation, by dying for us? I would say his flesh is pretty powerful.
The flesh he is referring to in verse 63, is our flesh, our mere human flesh, which is of no use at all without his flesh, without his dying for us, and certainly without the spirit! Our flesh can do nothing apart from Christ, and he said, "...apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5)
Paul explains this, "But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man." (1 Corinthians 2:14-15)
If we remain in our flesh, our human thinking, we will find it hard to understand spiritual things. In scripture "man is often called "flesh" to underline the weakness, fragility and transience of human nature, especially when contrasted with God and his Spirit which is strength." (Bible Dictionary Concordance to the NAB)
Christ wants us to believe as spiritual beings not as fleshy human beings!
Paul explains this, "But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man." (1 Corinthians 2:14-15)
If we remain in our flesh, our human thinking, we will find it hard to understand spiritual things. In scripture "man is often called "flesh" to underline the weakness, fragility and transience of human nature, especially when contrasted with God and his Spirit which is strength." (Bible Dictionary Concordance to the NAB)
Christ wants us to believe as spiritual beings not as fleshy human beings!
Jesus says; "If I have told you earthly things and you still do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12)
Let us continue in John chapter 6...
"But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him. He went on to say: “This is why I have said to you, no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
Jesus knows that there are some that do not believe, and will not believe. Notice that after Christ's teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, is when he loses Judas as his dear follower "the one who would betray him."
"But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him. He went on to say: “This is why I have said to you, no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
Jesus knows that there are some that do not believe, and will not believe. Notice that after Christ's teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, is when he loses Judas as his dear follower "the one who would betray him."
There (verses 64, 65) Jesus gives us the answer to the question the Jews were arguing about, "how can this man give us his flesh to eat it?" Jesus tells us that belief in this teaching must be granted to us by the Father. We need God, and we need Jesus to help us understand divine things like the Resurrection and the Eucharist.
Even still...
"Because of this, many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life. We have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Some Christian groups like to interpret John 6:63 as Christ speaking only figuratively, or symbolically. They deny the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and what Christ has taught through his Church for over 2,000 years!
"Because of this, many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life. We have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Some Christian groups like to interpret John 6:63 as Christ speaking only figuratively, or symbolically. They deny the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and what Christ has taught through his Church for over 2,000 years!
I pray that I have not lost your attention here...
Notice that despite what Jesus says in verse 63 about "it is the spirit that gives life..." his disciples still go off, and walk with him no more. They did not understand him to be speaking figuratively, or symbolically, even at this point!
Notice that despite what Jesus says in verse 63 about "it is the spirit that gives life..." his disciples still go off, and walk with him no more. They did not understand him to be speaking figuratively, or symbolically, even at this point!
They took him for what he was saying, they took him literally! They walked away from Christ anyway, because they could not understand, "how can this man give us his flesh to eat it?"
Will we be like the doubtful Jews who argued and could not understand? Or, like the disbelieving disciples who couldn't even listen to what Christ was saying? Or, will we stand with Peter, and the other Apostles who despite their lack of understanding took Christ on faith?
Do you say with Peter;“Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of
everlasting life. We have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God."
In this study we have see what Jesus himself teaches us about his own flesh and blood. But without a little more background it may be difficult to understand why he is saying these things. I know I said I was not going to quote the whole chapter here and I am not, but I do feel that there is some context worth mentioning.
So a little context for this chapter...
John 6 is a wonderful chapter that begins with Jesus feeding the 5,000 who were following him to hear him speak. They did not have enough food to feed these people who had been following him all day, and with just, "five small barley loaves and two small fish", Jesus performed this miracle and fed the five thousand.
Then we read about how Jesus walked on water at Capernaum again showing his power to do such things. It is after this that we read what Jesus is saying about the bread of life, his flesh! This was in Capernaum, the next day and the people who ate the loaves and fish, were looking for Jesus. "When they found him across the sea, they said to him: “Rabbi, when did you get here?” John 6:25
Jesus answered them:“Most truly I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate from the loaves and were satisfied. Work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you; for on this one the Father, God himself, has put his seal of approval.” John 6:26,27
After this the people were questioning Jesus asking about the works of God and what sign he was going to give them so that they could believe. Jesus said; "Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them: “Most truly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:31-33
The people respond by saying “Lord, always give us this bread.”
And Jesus does in fact give us this bread, Praise be to God!
Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not get hungry at all, and whoever exercises faith in me will never get thirsty at all. But as I said to you, you have even seen me and yet do not believe. All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me" John 6:35-37
Again go back and prayerfully read the chapter in its entirety.
The Apostles taught that Jesus is truly present in bread and wine...
In the letter to the Corinthians Paul has and answer to the question; Is Jesus really present in bread and wine?
"Therefore, whoever eats the loaf or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord. First let a man approve himself after scrutiny,y and only then let him eat of the loaf and drink of the cup. For the one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment against himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and quite a few are sleeping in death." (1 Cor 11:27-30)
At this point we need to ask ourselves; if the Eucharist is just a symbol of Jesus and not actually the body and blood of Jesus as Jesus says it is, then how can one eat of it unworthily and be guilty of anything? How can one bring a "judgment against himself" for failure to discern that the bread and wine is truly Jesus' flesh and blood?
More Bible verses and information to consider ...
John 6; please read the whole chapter this is a must!
John 6; please read the whole chapter this is a must!
Pay special attention to verses 27, 32-40, 51, 55.
1 Corinthians 10:16 "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of the Christ? The loaf that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of the Christ?"
1 Corinthians 10:16 "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of the Christ? The loaf that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of the Christ?"
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4 (What the flesh means in John 6:63.)
Exodus 16 (The chapter about the manna.)
- Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19: In the NWT, the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society have these verses translated as "means my body" and not "is my body." When we compare these NWT verses with John chapter 6 and what I have shown you here, we can see that "means" is not a faithful way to translate this text. You should also look up these verses in your King James, and other translations of the bible.
- I have shown you here in John 6 that there is very little room for error to understand Christ as only speaking figurative, or symbolic. He was speaking literally, and the text shows this! more than 2,000 years of Christian history shows this. You should study the teachings of the early fathers of the Church especially on the teachings on the Eucharist. They have much to say about the early Church, what it believed and how it functioned.
"You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. Nor is it permitted without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate the agape; but whatever he approve, this too is pleasing to God, so that whatever is done will be secure and valid." (LETTER TO THE SMYRNAEANS - ST. IGNATIUS BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, 110 A.D. 2nd century. The Faith of the early Fathers page 25, section 65.)
Verses (in the order used) and references used in this article:
John 6:48-69
Exodus 16:4
John 20:29
John 15:5
1 Corinthians 2:14-15
John 3:12
John 6:25
John 6:26,27
John 6:31-33
John 6:35-37
1 Cor 11:27-30
Man is often called flesh...
Man is often called flesh...
Bible Dictionary Concordance to the New American Bible
Throughout this article I have used the term "Eucharist", when referring to the body and blood of Jesus as we see him talking about in John 6. I know that the term "Eucharist" is not in the bible, although the concept and teaching clearly is. We have seen this throughout this article looking at the scriptures themselves. The term used by the Catholic, and Orthodox Church originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. Eucharist: Based on ecclesiastical Greek eukharistia which means thanksgiving, from Greek eukharistos meaning grateful. (New Oxford American Dictionary)
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