314: “Eat My Flesh”: Why Did So Many Disciples Walk Away? (John 6)
Rohan Bell and Jeanie Schwarz unpack Jesus’ most confronting sermon—“eat my flesh, drink my blood”—and why it triggered a mass walkout. Was it about shocking imagery… or His claim to be God and the sole source of life?
👀 What you’ll discover in this episode...
✅ 🩸 Beyond metaphor: how Jesus taps an ancient idea—“life is in the blood”—to say we must truly partake of Him
✅ 🕍 Offence escalates: from hard words to an even harder claim—“Son of Man ascending”—and why divinity was the real stumbling block
✅ 🍞 From Bread to Being: why the Eucharist points to participation in Christ’s life, not mere ritual
✅ 🧭 Truth that sorts: why Jesus’ words create decision points—shrinking crowds, deepening disciples (liar, lunatic, or Lord)
✅ 🕊️ Spirit and life now: how John’s Gospel presents a cosmic, transforming life we receive—not just rules we follow
✅ 🗣️ Peter’s pivot: “Lord, to whom shall we go?”—what clinging to Jesus looks like when others desert
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Happy Fri-yay (cringe and all) & setup: “How not to grow your church”
01:25 – The shock factor: eat my flesh/drink my blood in a Jewish context
06:41 – Does this offend you? Then what about the Son of Man ascending?
09:52 – “The Spirit gives life; human effort counts for nothing”
12:29 – Walkouts and why: offended by claims of divinity, not just imagery
13:31 – Peter’s confession: staying when it’s hard
16:45 – John’s cosmic lens vs the Synoptics’ moral lens—both needed
19:30 – Invitation, not threat: partaking of Christ as the source of life
🙋♂️ Reflection and Application
Where are Jesus’ words currently confronting you—pressing you to decide rather than hover in neutral? This week, practice a “Peter response”: name one habit of clinging to Jesus (Scripture, communion, prayer, obedience) you’ll do when His teaching feels difficult.
💬 Share your thoughts below or in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
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