Jesus perceived the disciples’ thoughts, and did not reprove their questionings. Their complaints had to do not with their perversity as with unbelievers, but was due to their misunderstanding of the parables of Christ’s mystery. But before Jesus gives them knowledge, he clears up for them the obscurity of the parable, the fullest explanation of the saving plan for the world.
He will not simply die for them to feed on his body spiritually, but will ascend to his Father also, from where he had descended. He it is who comes from heaven, but will not remain in our world. They saw him walk on the lake, and realized he was superhuman. He will ascend to his Father in order to pour out his Spirit on his followers. This is the purpose of his death and the aim of his coming. His gift to them was not a cut of his flesh, rather he comes into the hearts of his followers. Not his material body, but his Holy Spirit enters us.
Jesus showed that the flesh profits nothing. Originally we were created whole and sound, but our thoughts and being became corrupt. In our bodies we find no power for true living, but only for sinning. His own body was prone to weakness, so that he said, "Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit is active but the flesh is weak."
Praise God, Jesus bore in his body the Holy Spirit at all times. The presence of this Spirit in him was the secret of his being. He wished to grant us this union of Spirit and body by his death, resurrection and ascension, and the indwelling of his Holy Spirit in our feeble bodies. Earlier he had affirmed to Nicodemus that water and the Spirit enable us to enter into the Kingdom of God, referring to John’s baptizing with water, and Spirit baptism at Pentecost. In the context of the discourse on the bread of life, Christ explained to his disciples that he would come to them and upon them as they partook of the Lord’s Supper: With the condition that these emblems profit nothing, unless the Holy Spirit has come upon us. It is the Holy Spirit who revives, the flesh is of no value. Christ’s Spirit alone assures his Presence in the believers.
How does the Holy Spirit come upon us? This is the key question for all who prepare to partake in his body and blood to live in perfect union with Christ. Jesus answers simply, "Hear my words, open your hearts to the treasure of the gospel." Christ is the Word of God; he who hears his words and trusts in him is filled with the Holy Spirit. Fill your affections with God’s power, by memorizing many Scripture texts. Stand on God’s promises, hold on to his affirmations, you will become mightier than inventors and their discoveries. For by Christ’s saving word the Creator of the universe will come upon you, giving you his life and authority.