John 6:50-59 "A Saying Too Hard to Swallow"

As Jesus continues the "Bread of Life" discourse, He resorts to the metaphorical language almost exclusively.  He has plainly told them that He is the Bread of Life and the way that Bread is appropriated is by coming to Him and believing on Him. Now, He will tell them they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. Clearly, He was not advocating cannibalism.  He was indicating, however, that His sacrificial death will be necessary to atone for their sins. They may not have understood the metaphor clearly, but they understood enough to find the message hard to stomach! Not much has changed! The world still sees the message of the Cross as offensive and unpalatable.