The teaching about eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood is found in John 6:53-56: "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. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.'"
The Catholic Church and some other Christian traditions interpret this passage literally, understanding it as referring to the Eucharist or Holy Communion. They believe that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ (a doctrine known as transubstantiation), though they retain the appearance of bread and wine.
The significance of both flesh and blood can be understood in a few ways:
* Completeness of the Sacrifice: In ancient cultures, blood was often seen as the essence of life. The separation of flesh and blood symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus. By consuming both, believers participate fully in the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice.
* Nourishment for the Whole Person: Eating flesh represents the nourishment for the body, while drinking blood symbolizes spiritual life and purification. Together, they provide complete nourishment for both the physical and spiritual aspects of a person.
* Union with Christ: The act of consuming both elements represents a deep, intimate union with Christ. It's not just about intellectual belief but about a profound connection that nourishes and sustains believers.
It's important to note that other Christian denominations interpret this passage symbolically, understanding it as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and union with Christ through faith and participation in the sacraments.