Is our faith a set of ideas about Jesus? Or is faith a personal connection with Jesus? That it can be the latter is suggested by Jesus when he says that he is the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and urges us to “eat his body and drink his blood.” (John 6:54-56) With this dramatic imagery, Jesus is saying that we can personally receive him in such a way that he dwells within us, giving us spiritual nourishment, strength, and life.

The salvation of Jesus is more than an idea! Share on X

The salvation of Jesus is more than an idea! It is the real presence and working of Jesus within us today. Just as bread, once eaten, becomes a part of our body, so Christ can become a part of us. May we open our hearts to Christ, so that, as he says, he may “abide in us, and us in him.” (John 6:56)

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
John 6:35
John 6:47–63

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.