Jn 6:60-69
60Many of [Jesus’] disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. 65And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
66As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
HARD SAYING: When Jesus declares, “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world,” the Jews “murmur” in unbelief. Their revulsion is complete when Jesus speaks about his blood as true drink. Literal drinking of blood was prohibited in Judaism and perhaps in early Christianity (Gn 9:4; Acts 15:29). The Jews cannot go beyond the physical, and so misunderstand Jesus’ promise.
Jesus will provide food for the life of the world. In ancient times, the people of Israel were nourished by the manna and by the gift of the Torah. This time, these nourishments are being replaced by the gift of Jesus’ self, and the Jews are told of the need to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus who is the Son of Man.
“Flesh” has to do with the incarnate life of Jesus. He, the divine Word, became flesh, a human being in its weakness and mortality. “Blood” has to do with his very real death. To be eaten and to be drunk means that the flesh is to be broken and the blood is to be spilled. Jesus now speaks of the separation of his flesh and blood in a violent death as the moment of total giving of himself. Jesus speaks of the inevitability of his death on the cross.
As a result of Jesus’ declaration, many of his disciples no longer accompany him. Jesus could have “softened” his teaching if he wanted to remain popular. But he tells the “hard” truth and challenges those who remained to make their decision about him.