In the "This is my body" article, we established that Jesus is speaking metaphorically in such a way that, as John's gospel presents it, the “bread of life” is a metaphor for the “Torah/word of G-d”, and Jesus is the “Word/Torah made flesh (in bodily form)”, therefore Jesus' body is “the bread.” We also established that the idea of “eating” this bread means to “consume” his teachings and live obediently by them. Since Jesus is the Torah in bodily form, his teaching is to live obedient to him, which is to live obedient to the Torah. But Jesus doesn't stop there; Jesus includes yet another statement, in which he says, “…and drink [my] blood”. So what does this mean? Is it different from the bread metaphor? Are the two metaphors related, and if so, how?
As stated before in the "This is my body" article, Jesus is not talking about the sacrament of communion. The last Passover Seder (the last supper) has not yet happened, and Jesus is speaking in a synagogue in Capernaum, and he fully expects people to understand the metaphor. In John chapter 6, Jesus primarily focuses on the “bread” aspect, and only mentions the blood in passing. Once again, Jesus seems to expect people to understand him. And it’s highly likely that the listeners do in fact understand him; their only difficulty seems to be in accepting Jesus' claim of having “come down from heaven”. So there has to be some cultural/historical contexts that we’re missing. So, let’s talk about the symbolism of blood in a Judaic mindset.
Blood can have many different implications depending on the use of the word. For example, “blood” can be a reference to “life” or the loss of it. It is said in the Hebrew scripture that “the soul is in the blood” (Lev 17:14), which is also a reason why it’s a kosher law not to drink blood (in a literal sense). Another example is the blood of Abel “crying out” to G-d from the ground. This is because, again, “the soul is in the blood.” The Hebrew word for “soul” being used is the word “nefesh” which oftentimes is “smoothed over” by translators by rendering it as “life” instead of “soul”. “Life” and “soul” are so closely tied together and specifically closely tied to “blood” that the translation decision is an appropriate one; it only fails to provide the modern reader with the full picture/understanding of the ancient mindset.
Blood had to be cared for properly via burial during a slaughter, especially for a temple offering. Blood is used in the purification for the altar process. The blood on the altar is described in the Torah as “an atonement for the altar”. But not just any blood can be used to make an atonement from the various utensils in the temple; it has to be the blood of something very precious, the blood of an unblemished animal. Not only is the blood a representation of “life” or “soul”, but atoning blood has to be a “pure life/soul.”
Now let’s talk about the real “meat” within the context of “drink my blood”. Blood, more than anything else, represents a sealed covenant when it is “poured out.” Any and all covenants are made in blood in some way. The covenant at Sinai was sealed in blood when Moses sprinkled blood on the people of Israel and said:
“Behold the blood of the covenant, which HaShem has made with you in accordance with all these words” Exodus 24:8
Blood in general plays such a big part in the Exodus story including the blood on the door posts, the death of the first born, Nile turning to blood, etc. The blood acts as a means for “redeeming” the people of Israel. The symbolic nature of this would be forever sealed in the weekly Sabbath services, every biblical holiday, and especially the Passover Seder (meal service). The symbolic blood is represented in the drinking of the wine.
Wine is used on every major holiday and every Sabbath day as part of the Kiddish (sanctifying) service. In every Jewish home for thousands of years, every holiday and Sabbath day begins and ends over a cup of wine. A common idiom one can find is, “the blood of grapes” which is also used in Genesis 49:11 “…He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes.” Because of this, wine plays a very important symbolic role in the Kiddush services as being the representation of the blood of the covenant.
In other words, Jewish homes for well over 3,000 years have been regularly drinking the blood of the covenant at every major holiday and Sabbath as a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt and as a remembrance of the covenant at Sinai.
When Jesus says “drink my blood”, we must also remember that these words are found in John’s Gospel, which is rife with mystical and symbolic language. Jesus does not literally mean to drink his blood. This verbiage is a flavorful way of saying “accept upon yourself my covenant I’m making with you.” To “drink the blood of the covenant” simply means to accept the covenant. The drinking only symbolizes the acceptance, that you are willing to take on the responsibilities of the covenant obligations, as well as enjoy its benefits. And what benefits does wine symbolize within an ancient mindset? Joy and prosperity. Covenants often follow the formula “if you ___, then I will ____” to the benefit of both parties. Such official covenants (such as weddings for example) are sealed with a cup of wine and a meal shared between both parties.
Jesus would eventually die the martyr's death, as an innocent man. A “pure life/soul” whose blood would be poured out for the sake of atonement, and knowing this he expected his listeners to understand that. Jesus was only adding another layer to an already existing understanding of a custom. He did not invent a new custom, nor did he intend to replace an existing custom. By drawing on a pre-existing tradition and its pre-existing symbolism, he is relating to the listeners on their level and helping them understand his mission.
In the same way that the “bread of life” is meant to serve as a reminder to consume G-d’s Word for nourishment, the wine is meant to serve as a reminder of the covenants G-d has made with His people. You've probably noticed that both bread and wine are already present at every Kiddush service for holidays and Sabbaths. Jesus is not teaching a new thing. He is building upon the foundation already laid, showing that these are not only symbols, but even prophesies that speak of the Messiah, and to let them serve as a reminder not only of the Exodus from Egypt, but also as reminders of his work to bring us out of our own personal “Egypt” as partakers of a spiritual “Exodus” in our own lives.
“Because of the blood of My covenant with you, I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit” Zechariah 9:11
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