A Life Entwined


All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me and I in them.
John 6:56

If you have ever been totally shocked, and at the same time totally repulsed and confused by someone’s words, you will know exactly how the people hearing these words from Jesus may have felt that day. What an absolutely shocking thing to say! They were not cannibals and besides, the laws of Moses forbade the drinking of blood. So what was this man talking about?

Jesus was saying that if he was received for who he was, the Son of God, and if by receiving him and allowing his life to become entwined in theirs, they would have eternal life. Of course Jesus’ earthly body was raised up into heaven and he will come again in the clouds – every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7), but if we receive him by faith and abide in him (John 15), we will have the life and power of the living Christ within us. What an amazing thought that is!

Jesus said that when he went back to the Father, his disciples would do the same works that he did on earth and even greater works (John 14:12). That includes us who believe and trust in him today. How can this be? Because the life of Christ is filling and energising our bodies (Colossians 1:29).

At the last supper, Jesus spoke of the bread representing his body and the wine, his blood (Mark 14:22-24). The apostle Paul also used this symbolism when he taught about Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Partaking of communion is a reminder to us of Christ’s covenant of love and peace with us. It also reminds us that we are partaking of his life.

There is a wonderful scripture in Acts 17:28 which says that “In Him we live and move and have our being.” That is how God wants us to live. As we learn to be more and more aware of His moment by moment presence with us, we will be living the entwined life. This is a life filled with divine possibilities for “nothing is impossible with God”. (Luke 1:37).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to learn how to live a life that is daily entwined with yours so that my heart beats to your beat and so that I do what you want me to do. Amen