Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us

Day By Day By Grace

Bob Hoekstra

April 8, 2010


"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in
him...At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me,
and I in you." (John 6:56 and 14:20)

In our verses, we again see the extent of the intimate relationship
that the new covenant of grace provides. An astounding intimacy is
declared in these words: "abides in Me, and I in him." We have not
merely come near to Christ, nor has He simply drawn close to us.
Rather, we live in Him, and He lives in us! We live by being in Christ
(by being related to Him, by being united with Him, by drawing our
spiritual life from Him). Moreover, He lives in us and desires to
express His life through us.

This unique arrangement for spiritual intimacy is experienced by the
one "who eats My flesh and drinks My blood." Although the language
sounds strange to the natural mind, the picture is common, that of
eating and drinking to find life-giving nourishment. The unusual aspect
is that the source of the nutrition is a person. Earlier in Jesus'
discourse, He had indicated what this process encompassed. "I am the
bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who
believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). Eating and drinking of
Jesus' flesh and blood involves simply coming to Him in faith. When we
come to Jesus, we are counting upon who He is (His person, His flesh,
the Son of God becoming a man). When we believe in Jesus, we are also
relying upon what He did (His work, His blood poured out for us upon
the cross). As we relate to Jesus in this manner, we are finding our
spiritual sustenance in Him. Thus, we abide in Him and He in us.

Of course, the Holy Spirit would participate fully in this process. "At
that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in
you." Jesus was leaving His disciples soon to return to the Father. So,
He comforted them. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A
little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see
Me. Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:18-19). On the day of
Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured forth in fullness and power. Now,
the Spirit would make the very life of Jesus available to all of His
followers. As they trusted in Him, Christ would live in and through
their lives.

Dear Lord of life, help me to learn to live this way--me living in You,
and You living in me. Help me to see it is as simple as eating and
drinking. As I trust food and drink for my physical life, I want to
trust in who You are and what You have done for my spiritual life, Amen.