In the wilderness the Exodus crowd came to despise the manna that was keeping them alive. To them it had become loathsome; it was not that on which they would have chosen to dine. In John 6 the thought of eating the flesh of the Son of God was also loathsome, though Jesus reminded them that to eat the Bread of Heaven is to have eternal life. This Bread is given for the life of the world. Many disciples went away at that loathsome thought. Millions today rejoice at the Eucharistic table with these words, “Take eat, this is my body.”
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69 (ESV)
