We started yesterday struggling with the “eat my flesh and drink my blood” section of John 6, where we saw that Jesus himself links the idea, the metaphor, with abiding:

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (John 6.56, ESV)

And how do we abide? Again, what does Jesus say? In John 6, it’s clear he’s talking about his teaching:

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. (John 6.45 – 48, ESV)

And it’s never just about knowing his teaching, it’s about obeying it. That’s what the parable of the wise and foolish builders is about. And here’s a time when Peter actually gets it right. Again, the answer is right in the text:

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6.66 – 68, ESV)

“You have the words of eternal life.” He got it. It’s the words – important as food.

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4.4, ESV)

Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32.44 – 47, ESV, emphasis mine)