Article #2 on Roman Catholicism
Jesus Christ frequently spoke in parables and was often misunderstood by the people. Have you read the Gospel of John? The Son of God said that He was “the true Light” (Jn. 1:9), “the Light of Life” (Jn. 8:12), “Living Water” (Jn. 4:14), “the true Bread” (Jn. 6:32), “the Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:48), “the good Shepherd” (Jn. 10:11), and “the true Vine” (Jn. 15:1). The Son of God was speaking figuratively, but listeners standing by would sometimes interpret these parables literally. Usually, only a remnant of hearers would understand the message.
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” – Matt. 13:13
The most infamous case of this in the 1st century was when the Lord said to the Jews, “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn. 2:19). The people were deeply offended because they thought that Jesus was speaking literally about the Temple in Jerusalem, when in reality the Lord was speaking figuratively about the Temple of His body. A literal interpretation of this analogy led to the greatest crime ever committed: the condemnation, murder, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
“And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three days.” – Matt. 26:61
“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the Temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” – Matt. 27:39-40
This serves as a warning to people who confidently believe in literal interpretations of parables. The most notorious case of this in modern times is when the Lord said, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up on the Last Day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” (Jn. 6:54-55). Somehow, this has become central to the faith of Roman Catholicism because the clergy confidently believe that the Son of God was speaking literally about the Eucharist as the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Howbeit, a correct interpretation is given in the discourse provided in John 6:22-71.
“the words that I speak unto you…are life.” – Jn. 6:63
“Thou hast the words of eternal life.” – Jn. 6:68
Let me explain. Life is a central theme of the parable given in John 6:22-71. Life was explicitly mentioned a total of 6 times in John 6:33, 35, 48, 51, 53, 63. For example, Jesus Christ said, “I am the bread of life.” (Jn. 6:48). Similarly, the Lord said, “I am the living bread…” (Jn. 6:51). This is a common theme among all the parables! Jesus also offered “living water” to sinners as a real source of life (Jn. 4:10). Bread, water, and other essential components to human life were employed in parables to speak about eternal life.
“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” - John 4:13-14
“For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” - John 6:33-35
Evidently, the Lord is accomplishing the same thing through the bread and water of these two parables. This should give some pause to Catholics. When Jesus Christ was speaking about life He was referring to eternal life. They are used interchangeably in the discourse provided in John 6:22-71. Eternal life was explicitly mentioned a total of 5 times in John 6:27, 40, 47, 54, 68. For example, Jesus Christ said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” (Jn. 6:47). Similarly, the Lord said, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up on the Last Day.” (Jn. 6:54). Now, while many people murmured and were offended at this statement, because they thought that Jesus was talking about cannibalism, the Lord proceeded to give them a correct interpretation of the parable in John 6:63.
“It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.” - John 6:63
Obviously, the source of life is not coming from the flesh! The Son of God said, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth” (Jn. 6:63). In other words, this means, “It is the Spirit that brings life”. The flesh is not making people alive. Therefore, we shouldn’t interpret the parable according to the flesh (Jn. 8:50). Nor should we try to literally eat the flesh of the Son of God in the Eucharist! The lifegiving power of the Spirit comes through believing in the word of God through Jesus Christ. Clarifying this, the Lord said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life” (Jn. 6:63). Peter had a perfect understanding of this controversial parable through the interpretation provided by Jesus Christ, and this led him to make the following confession.
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” - John 6:68
How was Peter going to get eternal life? By receiving and believing “the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). Why? Because “the words” that Jesus spoke, “they are Spirit, and they are Life” (Jn. 6:63). Therefore, speaking figuratively, we must eat the word of God! We must eat the words of Jesus Christ. This is the message being communicated by the parable. Our relationship to Jesus Christ will be judged based upon our relationship to His word. Hence, “the word” is the source of life in the parable of parables (Mk. 4:14). “Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:13).
Certainly, many people are going to disagree with this interpretation. The preaching of Jesus Christ in the Gospels was characteristically parabolic to allow for people to come to their own erroneous conclusions, as stated in Matthew 13:9-18. This is why Jesus Christ often said, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt. 13:9). Interpretations to parables were usually concealed from the public and revealed to the Lord’s closest disciples. Therefore, when interpretations are given in Scripture, true believers are expected to recognize it when reading the text. In this case, there is resounding agreement between the interpretation of Jesus Christ in John 6:63 and Peter’s confession in John 6:68. Do you agree? The apostle John was in agreement. This is why John called Jesus Christ “the Word of Life” in 1 John 1:1 while inviting believers to have spiritual fellowship with the Living God through the person of Jesus Christ.
Certainly, many people are going to disagree with this interpretation. The preaching of Jesus Christ in the Gospels was characteristically parabolic to allow for people to come to their own erroneous conclusions, as stated in Matthew 13:9-18. This is why Jesus Christ often said, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt. 13:9). Interpretations to parables were usually concealed from the public and revealed to the Lord’s closest disciples. Therefore, when interpretations are given in Scripture, true believers are expected to recognize it when reading the text. In this case, there is resounding agreement between the interpretation of Jesus Christ in John 6:63 and Peter’s confession in John 6:68. Do you agree? The apostle John was in agreement. This is why John called Jesus Christ “the Word of Life” in 1 John 1:1 while inviting believers to have spiritual fellowship with the Living God through the person of Jesus Christ.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” – 1 Jn. 1:1-3
The parable of the Bread of Life only appears in the Gospel of John. Therefore, John must have been personally impacted by this parable. However, neither John, nor the Apostles, ever spoke about touching, tasting, or handling the Eucharist as the source of eternal life. No! They spoke about touching, tasting, and handling “the Word of Life” (Jn. 1:1). Those who come to supper here will not be disappointed (Ps. 34:8, 1 Pet. 2:3, Heb. 6:4-5, Rev. 3:20). Those who have “tasted the good Word of God” will find it to be “sweeter than honey” (Heb. 6:5, Ps. 19:10). What about you? Will you receive John’s invitation to fellowship with Jesus Christ according to 1 John 1:1-3? Remember, this is coming from the same apostle who said that Jesus Christ is “the Word” (Jn. 1:1, 14). Literally, “His Name is called The Word of God” (Rev. 19:13)! This is the real source of holy communion with God.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” – Jer. 15:16
Receiving the word of God by faith has been parabolically referred to as eating it in the Old Testament. The spiritual experience of eating the word of God is further amplified in Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, leaving the reader no doubt about this biblical manner of speech. The same manner of speech is then used repeatedly in the New Testament (Revelation 10:9). Why? “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4). Let the pure testimony of Holy Scripture serve as a dogmatic interpretation of the parable in question.
Related Articles
   |   |
RSS Feed