Advanced inductive analysis of John 6:1-2 into 4 parts

Tim Chang • April 8, 2020

 

1. It took at least four days to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee.

 

If it takes at least four days to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, why did John left out the details of the journey?

 


 

There may be many reasons why John did not include the traveling details of the journey. This journey and many journeys that Jesus took to and from Jerusalem to other parts of Israel were left out. John 21:25 states, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

 


 

John already recorded Jesus’ journey from Judea to Galilee, crossing Samaria in John chapter 4. This is the chapter where Jesus meets the woman at the well, and through her, the entire town came to Jesus and believed in Him as the Messiah for his teachings. Thus, Jesus must have made numerous trips to and from Judea to Galilee, crossing Samaria.

 

John does not mention all these trips because he probably healed the sick, drove out demons, and taught along the way in Samaria. The Samaritans welcomed him and his acquaintances because they believed Jesus to be the Messiah.

 


 

How did the Jews travel in those days?

 


 

Ordinary Jews traveled the region on foot during those days. They packed food and prepared for the journey. Sometimes they take donkeys to carry their luggage.

 

The great multitude that followed Jesus traveled on foot to Jerusalem and followed Jesus into Samaria on foot in a great multitude.

 


 

Why did Jesus travel so much from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee to go back to Jerusalem at a later date for the feasts of the Jews?

 


 

We can speculate why Jesus traveled so much, going North and South in Israel.

 

Everywhere Jesus went to preach the good news of the gospel, cast out the demon, and healed the sick. These were Jesus’ ministry. Jesus paired his disciples in two and sent them out to do the same throughout Israel. From these accounts, we can imagine that Jesus wanted to reach as many people as possible. He traveled by foot, and all his followers eagerly followed him on foot. Everywhere Jesus went, there was a great multitude of followers. Some wanted to make him a king, while others wanted to hear what he has to say.

 

During the three short years Jesus ministered in Israel, he traveled throughout Israel on foot, reaching as many as he could physically.

 


 

2. Jesus had great multitudes who followed him because Jesus healed all of them

 

How do we know that Jesus healed all of them?

 


 

Jesus had great compassion towards all who sought him. The woman who touched the edge of his garment in faith to heal her infirmities were healed, and even the woman’s daughter, who Jesus harshly criticized as a “dog, which does not deserve the blessings of Abraham,” were delivered because Jesus had compassion on them. During his three years of ministry, he was full of compassion, and the only time he marveled because he could only heal a few in a town was when he visited his hometown because of their unbelief.

 


 

Who are these great multitudes?

 


 

These great multitudes went up to the feast of the Jews in Jerusalem and met Jesus there. We discover that these great multitudes followed Jesus because Jesus healed the sick among the multitudes from verse two. These multitudes came to Jerusalem to observe their religious duties and customs, and there they met Jesus healing the man who was sick for 38 years and arguing and teaching against the Jews.

 


 

Were these multitudes mainly the Jews?

 


 

Since John 5 occurred during the feast of the Jews, most likely, the multitudes were Jews who traveled from other parts of Israel who came to Jerusalem to observe the feast of the Jews. In addition, some who were not Jews came to Jerusalem to conduct business in Jerusalem as many people were gathered in Jerusalem.

 


 

Were the great multitudes related to one another?

 


 

During the three feasts of the Jews, all males are to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. Samaritans cannot go to Jerusalem, so they go to Mount Gerizim. Because all males are to appear during the three feasts of the Jews, the father would take their sons and, at times, take their entire family to Jerusalem. Also, this was done in groups within the villages. Thus, we can find the account of Jesus when he went up to Jerusalem for the first time, and Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was with the crowd on their way back to their town. Most likely, the multitudes were related to one another as relatives and or knew each other very well as their neighbors.

 


 

How big were the great multitudes?

 


 

Later part of chapter 6, we find that Jesus feeds five thousand males with two fishes and five barley loaves. Israelites did not count women and children in their numbering, and many scholars believe that the account in chapter 6 was over 20,000+ if women and children were included. Perhaps, the many multitudes might be greater than 20,000+ in chapter 6 verse 1, as Jesus went through Samaria, some might decide not to follow Jesus into Samaria while others went their ways.

 


 

What were the interests of these multitudes?

 


 

From verse 2, we find that they were following Jesus because Jesus performed many miracles, and it resulted in healing those who were diseased among them.

 

They were interested in Jesus because Jesus healed the sick. So the multitude followed Jesus from Jerusalem across Samaria and to the Sea of Galilee. Jesus healed all those who came to him for healing. Some followed him from the time Jesus healed the man who was ill for 38 years, while others followed him as Jesus argued against the Jews. Later in chapter 6, we find out that the multitude filled with the bread and fish wanted to make Jesus king by force.

 


 

Not only Jesus healed all the sick, fed them, and taught well, he was speaking against the rulers and authorities that were oppressing the commoners. Even the twelve disciples were fascinated by Jesus. They followed him because they believed Jesus would free them from Roman occupation and establish a new Jerusalem where the twelve disciples will rule.

 


 

Did they work?

 


 

The multitudes were on their way back to their home towns after the feast of the Jews was over when they followed Jesus. Most of them were farmers and shepherds. The feast of the Jews was done after the harvest, so they could spend some time following Jesus before they replant the seeds.

 


 

Why were they in Jerusalem?

 


 

They were in Jerusalem to observe the feast of the Jews, as prescribed by God by the Law of Moses. Some may have come to Jerusalem to conduct business, but during the feast of the Jews, Jerusalem was a bustling city packed with people.

 


 

What caught their attention that they followed Jesus?

 


 

Jesus healing the man who suffered infirmities for 38 years caught everyone’s attention. Then, Jesus spoke among the Jews in the temple about the things of God, and people were captivated by Jesus’ teachings. Finally, the great multitude followed Jesus because they saw Jesus completely healed their friends’, neighbors’, and relatives’ sicknesses through Jesus’ miracles.

 

They followed Jesus from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee.

 


 

Where were the twelve disciples of Jesus?

 


 

John did not give any information about what the twelve disciples were doing when these things were happening. The twelve disciples were mentioned in chapter 4 as they went to Samaria to look for food, and in chapter 6, they were ordered by Jesus to sit the multitude in the grass area to feed them. In the accounts between chapter 4 and chapter 6, we discover that John is highlighting Jesus’ actions and hides the disciples to focus on Jesus’ teachings. The twelve disciples were not the main character that John wanted to illustrate because Jesus was conducting the core of his ministry.

 


 

Also, the twelve disciples were Jews who had to present themselves before the Lord during the feast of the Jews. Thus, their visit to Jerusalem was a common event for them since their youth. They did what the traditional Jewish customs required them to do, and as Jesus left Jerusalem, the disciples followed Jesus, and the great multitude followed them into Samaria.

 


 

3. Jesus must have gone through Samaria, a shorter route than the usual way that the Jews take, because of the account in John 4.

 


 

Did Jesus take the shortest route cutting through Samaria?

 


 

In John chapter 4, we find Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the well, which dumbfounded the twelve disciples. The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans, especially Samaritan women. From other accounts of Jesus, Jesus often visited the home of Lazarus of Bethany and even resurrected Lazarus. From the four gospels, we can find that he liked to visit the same place multiple times and spend time with those he especially loved.

 


 

The logical conclusion that we can draw from the Samaritan woman in John 4 is that every time Jesus went to and from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, he went straight across Samaria, visiting the town where he ministered in chapter 4.

 


 

The Jews did not have anything to do with the Samaritans, and because the Samaritans were mixed with other races, they were not allowed to go to Jerusalem during the three feasts of the Jews. So instead, they went to Mount Gerizim to celebrate the three feasts of the Jews.

 


 

If he did, why did he do that?

 


 

After chapter 4, Jesus broke the barrier between the Jews and the Samaritans, and Jesus has no reason to use the traditional route that the Jews used to avoid Samaria after his ministry in chapter 4.

 


 

What effect did the account of John 4 of the woman at the well in Samaria have on this journey for Jesus and his disciples?

 


 

In chapter 4, we find that when the twelve disciples came back to where Jesus was, they saw Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman and were shocked. But after Jesus spoke with her, and she brought out the people of Samaria to Jesus, they all heard Jesus’ teachings, and they all accepted Jesus as the Messiah.

 


 

When Jesus visited Samaria in this journey, the content of the journey is not recorded, but this was the first time Jesus visiting Samaria after his ministry in Samaria in chapter 4. The twelve disciples were the eye witness to Jesus’ previous ministry in Samaria, and they probably were one of the first few Jews to enter Samaria. The second visit of Jesus into Samaria with the great multitude must have surprised the Samaritans, and the Samaritans must have welcomed them with great hospitality.

 


 

Why did the Jews avoid the Samaritans?

 


 

Josephus reports several unpleasant events; the Samaritans harass the Jewish pilgrims traveling through Samaria between Galilee and Judea. Also, the Jews hated the Samaritans as the Jews did not condone their religious practice. Therefore, when the Jews go to and from Jerusalem to Northern Israel, they will take a longer journey around Samaria to not come in contact with the Samaritans.

 


 

How would the Samaritans react to the Jews hating on them?

 


 

The Samaritans, too, hated the Jews, even though they are blood-related. They did not have any dealings with the Jews and also attacked the Jews traveling around Samaria.

 


 

If the woman at the well in Samaria was the reason for Jesus going through Samaria, did Jesus visit this place often?

 


 

From the journeys that Jesus took during his three years of ministry, we can easily see that his trips went across Samaria many times. He spent a lot of his time in the Sea of Galilee, but as a Jew, he went down to Jerusalem during the feasts of the Jews. Jesus must have crossed Samaria often, and every time the Samaritans welcomed him and his disciples and wanted to hear from him.

 


 

Then, why did John not record these journeys in detail?

 


 

John 21:25 states, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

 


 

John seemed to have selected which accounts to be put into the records while leaving some out redundant. Jesus’ three-year ministry was short but was full of impact and covered large areas of Israel. Jesus traveled all corners of Israel to heal the sick, cast out the demon, and taught the Word of God to the people.

 


 

Instead of recording each journey in detail, John highlights an account, for example, in chapter 4, the Samaritan woman at the well. Instead of repeating similar reports, he states, “After this,” and moves on.

 


 

4. The Samaritans warmly welcomed the great multitudes, and Jesus healed and taught there before going over to the Sea of Galilee.

 


 

Were the great multitudes Jews?

 


 

Most likely, the vast multitudes of John 6 were Jews. In chapter 5, we find that the vast multitudes followed Jesus after they had observed the feast of the Jews. Jews who were visiting Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Jews met Jesus and followed Jesus from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee.

 


 

If they were, why did they go through Samaria following Jesus?

 


 

When the great multitude followed Jesus into Samaria, they were perplexed at the route Jesus took. Some might have gone back to their home town while others hearing Jesus is going to the Sea of Galilee, took the long journey around Samaria to reach there.

 


 

But those who followed Jesus ended up enter Samaria. Jesus must have taught them along the journey and healed those who were sick and demon-possessed. This confirmed the great multitude’s belief that following Jesus even into Samaria is something they should do.

 


 

If they followed Jesus into Samaria, it must have been their first time in Samaria. What were the responses of the Jews and Samaritans in their first interaction?

 


 

Jews do not have any dealings with the Samaritans, and the same goes for the Samaritans. However, when the great multitude arrived in Samaria with Jesus, they were welcomed by Samaritans. Generally, Middle Eastern culture welcomes anyone who visits them with a warm welcome and takes care of the visitor until they leave.

 


 

The Samaritans must have seen large dust forming at the horizon as Jesus was bringing the great multitude into the city. As the Jews came into the city, some might have thought about building a defense against them, but this quickly dissipated as they saw the great multitude following Jesus.

 


 

The Samaritans must have welcomed the Jews with a great warm welcome and gave them water to wash their feet. The water they drew from the well that Jesus met the woman in John chapter 4. As the Jews saw the Samaritans giving them a warm welcome, they were refreshed with the food and drinks that the Samaritans gave them.

 


 

Jesus gave them teachings and healed all sick and in need before departing to the Sea of Galilee.

 


 

What were their prejudices against the Samaritans that were shattered when they come into the town?

 


 

The Jews believed the Samaritans as the savages and were uncleaned. However, as they saw Jesus teaching, healing, and ministering to them, they must have let their guards down. The Jews were welcomed with the same warm welcome that Jesus received, and even though a great multitude in the city was a constraint to the city, the Samaritans greeted them with a warm welcome until they departed out of the city.

 


 

What did Jesus do in Samaria?

 


 

Most likely, Jesus did what he did in all other towns: heal the sick, drive out the demons, and teach them about the Kingdom of God.

 


 

If Jesus healed the sick, cast out the demons, and taught in Samaria, what were the responses of the mixed crowd of the Jews and the Samaritans?

 


 

Perhaps, in the beginning, the Jews might have felt uncomfortable that Jesus, who was a Jew, ministering onto the Samaritans. But as they received food and hospitality from the Samaritans, their prejudices were shattered, and good relationships began to form.

 


 

Did the Samaritans harbor hate against the Jews that they did not feed or shelter them, or they welcomed the Jews because of Jesus?

 


 

In John 4, the Samaritans received Jesus’ teachings and accepted Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus was a Jew, and the fact that the Samaritans accepted him shows that the Samaritans began to open their hearts towards the Jews. When they saw the great multitude of the crowd coming towards their city from the direction of Jerusalem, perhaps they might have thought they need to defend their city. However, when they saw that the front was Jesus, they quickly began to prep the city for the great multitude.

 


 

The Samaritans welcomed the great multitude of Jews, who were weary from the journey from Jerusalem and must have shared the food they had prepared for their feast at the Mount Gerizim. By sharing such food and spending time together, Jesus brought the two opposition to unity.

 


 

After this event, did the Jews return to Samaria and visit them, as they have become friends?

 


 

After this event, some Jews had to return to Jerusalem from the Sea of Galilee. Some followed Jesus, and Jesus went back to Jerusalem after his ministry in the Sea of Galilee for the feast of the Jews, Passover. The Jews probably crossed Samaria from that time forward, and they have become friends. Although the Samaritans cannot come to Jerusalem to worship or to celebrate the feasts of the Jews, the Jews who visited Samaria shared their experiences in Jerusalem worship.

 


 

The Jews who came into Samaria continued to go through Samaria when they went to Jerusalem or revert to their old ways of avoiding Samaritans?

 


 

Some traditional Jews might have refused to go through Samaria. However, Jesus traveled across Samaria many times during his three years of ministry, and his followers and the great multitude must have followed him through Samaria.

 

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Resting in Jesus

By Eunjin Chang • August 3, 2025
For a Christian to be healthy, we must sleep or rest in Jesus. Just like sleep is essential to the health of our physical body, sleep or rest in Jesus is essential to our spiritual walk with Jesus. When Jesus came to the world, he came to do the works of the Father, and he completed them on the cross, when he said, It is finished. The very reliance of the blood of Jesus that he shed for us on the cross gives us the rest that our spirit needs. To sleep or rest in Jesus means to cease all our agendas. Many Christians fall into a trap that once you become a Christian, you must do so many things and not do so many things. Being a disciple becomes a matter of checking off a list of dos and don’ts. However, this is far from rest that Jesus gave us when he said, It is finished, on the cross. The rest comes to us when we die in Jesus. When we follow Jesus as a disciple, Jesus is inviting us to pick up our own cross, deny ourselves, and follow him. Where did Jesus end up? On the cross, and he died for the sins of the world. When apostle Paul stated that he had been crucified with Christ and he no longer lives, he was stating the mere nature of a disciple of Jesus. When Jesus invites us to die with him on the cross, it is not to destroy us or end us. Human nature is to struggle to survive and to have another breath. But to follow Jesus is to deny that very nature. How can it be done? It is impossible with human effort or will, as it is contrary to the very nature of humanity. When one becomes a disciple of Jesus, everyone has one or a few things that they cannot surrender to God. It may be finances, children, or even their own life. However, Jesus invites all of his disciples to give up that one thing that everyone has. Every Christian faces this question at some point in their walk with Jesus. They have eaten and drunk the flesh and blood of Jesus. They have tasted the goodness of the Lord and His mercies. They delight in worship and even give up many things for the Lord and His body. But that one thing, no matter how minor it seems, Jesus asks the question, “Can you give up that one thing for me?” Which is the question of death. The death of our old self. To Abraham, it was to offer Isaac on an altar. To Jacob, it was to deny his ability to cheat, steal, and lie. To the Apostles, it was to give up their life for the sake of the gospel. So many of our ancestors of faith have demonstrated giving up that one thing that matters the most to them for the sake of Jesus. Why would they do that? The most important question of all is, how were they able to do that for Jesus? The answer is simple: daily eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood; daily excrete out what the Holy Spirit is telling us; daily rest in Jesus. This daily trust and obedience provides us with a sense of security and guidance in our walk with Jesus. The death of oneself does not come from human effort nor willpower. It comes from trusting in Jesus even till death. It can only be done when one is deeply involved with Jesus and Jesus’ DNA becomes their DNA. Without questioning, they hear the voice of Jesus, respond, and lay down their lives and their most essential things for Jesus. It is a daily walk with Jesus and having a moment-by-moment relationship with Jesus. Jesus said My sheep hear my voice and follow me. It is interesting to note that when Jesus calls his sheep, it is among other sheep that are not of Jesus’. Jesus calls his sheep to take them through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and follow initially. Then, when the sheep sees Jesus walking away from the green pasture and onto the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep begins to wonder if the voice it hears is Jesus’ or not. But as Jesus continues to call the sheep, the sheep respond by trusting in Jesus’ voice, recognizing it as their own. But as the sheep nears the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep gets close to Jesus, embracing his breath, scent, and sweat. Following him closely, as he fears he might be lost if he does not hear the voice of his true shepherd. Ultimately, the valley of the shadow of death separates the true sheep of Jesus from other sheep. Jesus calls all of his disciples to carry the cross, deny oneself, and follow Jesus daily. Which ultimately leads to death. Death is not to end our essence but to deliver us from ourselves, our old ways of living, and to redefine our DNA to become like Jesus; ultimately leading us to the resurrection of Jesus, as he has said, I am the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is not something that we find when the last day comes; the resurrection that Jesus gives us is the very nature of all of his disciples that must go through to become faithful followers of Jesus. Many modern Christians are what we might call 'zombie Christians'. This is not a metaphor, but a reality. When Jesus calls us to die with him, many reject this calling, believing it to be from Satan. They know deep down that it is the call of Jesus, but they prefer to be deceived in their hearts as it seems logical, reasonable, and satisfies their current values. However, when a Christian rejects the call of Jesus, the life of Jesus leaves that Christian, and that person becomes a 'zombie Christian'. A 'zombie Christian' is a person who knows about Jesus but does not follow Jesus because they have denied the call of Jesus to be his disciple. There are many 'zombie Christians'. Many become like Pharisees, and they are satisfied with knowing about the Scriptures, rather than obeying them. They begin to lose the joy, rest, and light of Jesus in their lives and begin to replace it with religious activities and the endless pursuit of knowledge about Christian life. When the Father speaks, He speaks once, and the Holy Spirit continuously reminds us to obey what the Father has said. However, once you become a zombie Christian, it is difficult to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, nor the voice of the Father. The Holy Spirit continuously prays to the Father with groaning that cannot be uttered because the Holy Spirit is in agony over the disobedient Christian. Just like the Prodigal Son, the Father waits for the son to return. An interesting observation can be made regarding the story of the Prodigal Son, that the father did not go after looking for the son, nor did the older brother. The reason the father did not go after the prodigal son was that the son made the choice, and the father respected the son's choice. But an interesting thing is that the older brother did not go after his brother, even though he could have. The older brother did not know the heart of the father, and when the prodigal son returned, the older son’s response reveals his true intentions. The Father waits for the zombie Christian to return. To return means to realize that their effort and ways of living caused much turmoil and must abide under the ruling of the Father. The Father gives another chance to zombie Christians. But when the second chance comes, the sacrifice that a zombie Christian makes seems greater than the first time. As that person has drifted away from the proper way of living and been replaced by religious activities that have no life. Every disciple of Jesus knows that one thing that Jesus asks us to give up. It is not to destroy us but to trust in the Lord. Just like when Peter asked Jesus to walk on water, Jesus is telling us to walk on water like Peter did. When we die in Jesus, it is the very spirit of Jesus that resurrects us. When we experience death and resurrection through Jesus, that is when we truly find the peace and rest that Jesus desires for us to have, not through religious activities, disciplines, and training. When we realize that our death does not lead to destruction, as the one inviting us to death is Jesus, who is life and resurrection, we trust in Jesus and follow through our death, and we wait on Jesus to resurrect us in his power and spirit. That is when we are truly free from the world and its bondages, and nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. We become one with Jesus as we suffer with him, and we glory with him. We can become truly victorious in all aspects of our lives, not with our power or abilities, but by what Jesus has done for us in himself. A true crown of glory awaits those who follow Jesus even to death.

Expelling Spiritual Waste

By Eunjin Chang • August 3, 2025
After eating the spiritual food and drink, which are the flesh and blood of Jesus, we must expel waste from our spiritual body. It may seem odd or even strange to talk about expelling after consuming Jesus’ flesh and blood, but just like our physical body, our spiritual bodies need expelling. When a Christian eats and drinks of the flesh and the blood of Jesus daily, they begin to grow deeper in a relationship with Jesus. Without even knowing, their dependence on Jesus grows tremendously, and it brings them many of the authorities that Jesus has. Their lives begin to change in ways that they have never imagined, and they begin to hear the voice of Jesus. Jesus said, My sheep know my voice and follow me. This becomes reality to those who consume Jesus’ flesh and blood daily. When you eat Jesus’ flesh and blood, the very nature of Jesus becomes ours. Just like when you eat a meal, you do not know where it gets placed in your body, but it goes through your digestive system, and it brings you energy where it is needed, and it is used to heal areas that need healing. The consumption of Jesus’ flesh and blood is essential to the growth and becoming like Jesus for his followers. Then, after consuming the flesh and blood of Jesus regularly, how does one go about expelling from the spiritual self the excrements that are created in our spiritual self? Also, what are the excrements that get created in our spiritual self? These are excellent questions, and they require some self-diagnosis. When we become a Christian, we begin to hunger for the word of God and desire to commune with other followers of Jesus. After consuming the flesh and the blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to work within us to remove old values and ways of living. The Holy Spirit essentially changes our very nature, as if the DNA of Satan’s child is being replaced with the DNA of Jesus. As we begin to crave Jesus’ flesh and blood, the Holy Spirit begins to remove our old habits and ways of living. Many begin to discover that after becoming a Christian, their old friends, habits, and joys have changed, and they can no longer enjoy the things they once enjoyed. These are things that the Holy Spirit is doing. In the first few months of becoming a Christian, many testify that their views and desires began to change. However, after a while, they begin to face their fleshly desires and carnality, and they must make a choice. To compromise and live according to their fleshly desires and carnality or to deny themselves and follow Jesus. It earmarks the beginning phase of Christian discipleship, and sometimes, due to misguided motivations, they make the right choices. Because they want to be seen as good Christians to their Christian peers, they make choices that seem right. However, this does not deal with the essential issues, but instead covers them up. Excretion is a daily task, which is to deny oneself daily and pick up the cross. The power to deny and pick up the cross and follow Jesus is not done with our willpower or discipline. Instead, it comes from relying on Jesus’ blood shed for us as he denied himself and carried the cross up to Calvary. Daily, we deny ourselves, our flesh, and our desires before Jesus by believing in the blood of Jesus that he shed for us while carrying the cross. Jesus shed much blood, tears, and sweat while carrying the heavy wooden cross up to Calvary after being beaten and whipped mercilessly. He has carried the cross from the Jerusalem courtyard to Golgotha while bleeding from his broken body. In relying on Jesus’ blood shed for us on the road to Golgotha, we discover the true meaning of denying oneself, picking up the cross, and following the blood-stained footsteps of Jesus. As Jesus was carrying the heavy wooden cross, stained with his blood, tears, and sweat, his legs gave way, and he could not carry on. The Roman soldier began to whip him mercilessly and wanted Jesus to pick up the cross so that the soldier could get the execution over with. However, Jesus did not flinch or move an inch. He was waiting for one person, a new disciple of Jesus, to come and take upon the cross with him. That person was Simon from Libya. Simon was not related to Jesus at all; he was just a spectator waiting for the main event, the Passover meal in the evening. But when he was dragged into carrying the cross of Jesus by force by the Roman soldier, the things that were going through his mind were the very excrement that needed to be excreted out of Simon to be a follower of Jesus. As Simon came in contact with Jesus’ blood, sweat, and tears, he lost his right to participate in the Passover meal as he became unclean. He must have spent a fortune and used up his life savings to come to Jerusalem to eat the Passover meal, but by the force of the Roman soldiers, he lost his right to eat the Passover meal. He must have been furious and angry at the brute gentile Roman soldier for being so ignorant and forcing him to carry what seemed like a death sentence to Simon’s dreams and the climax of his journey to Jerusalem. Jesus wanted Simon not to eat the Passover meal that man prepares for religious activities, but to be part of the real Passover meal and to become a follower of Jesus, when Jesus’ blood, sweat, and tears were imprinted onto Simon as he carried the cross of Jesus, Simon, without knowing participated in the greatest act of servitude and discipleship towards Jesus. Many years later, we discover that Simon’s family assisted Apostle Paul in preaching the gospel during his journey. We do not know what happened to Simon after he threw down the cross upon Golgotha. Still, we can guess that by carrying the cross of Jesus by force, he missed the Passover meal prepared by religious people. Still, Simon truly participated in the authentic Passover meal prepared by the Lamb of God, Jesus himself. Oh, what a glorious moment for him when he learned that the very cross that he carried was the cross of our Lord Jesus! Modern Christians must deny themselves, carry the cross, and follow Jesus. But the very act is not done or possible with our own volition or will. We must rely on the blood of Jesus that he shed for us while carrying the cross up to Golgotha. Just like Simon, we must have the blood, sweat, and tears of Jesus imprinted onto our spirit, and by the imprint of Jesus’ blood, sweat, and tears, we carry the cross that is handed to us. This is how we excrete out the waste that our spiritual person makes after consuming Jesus’ flesh and blood. Many times throughout the day, we go to Jesus to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. After consuming Jesus, the Holy Spirit stirs in our spirit and tells us what hinders our relationship with Jesus. It is natural for a Christian to know what hinders our relationship with Jesus, as our very spiritual DNA begins to change into Jesus’ DNA. It is imprinted in us. As Jesus always pleased the Father and obeyed His will perfectly, Jesus’ DNA that is imprinted in us begins to stir our hearts to know what is pleasing and what is not to the Father. By relying on the blood of Jesus that he shed for us while carrying the cross on the way to Golgotha, our spirit begins to shed our old values, desires, and other things that do not please the Father. When the Holy Spirit brings our attention to a matter, we must stop, listen, and follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf to the Father with groaning that cannot be uttered.

Spiritual Food and Drink

By Eunjin Chang • August 3, 2025
Our spiritual body eats the real food: the flesh of Jesus. Our food table is prepared by Jesus himself, with his broken flesh. When Jesus said, My body is true meat indeed, he literally meant it. We must eat of his flesh many times a day, just like how we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with snacks in between. Jesus’ flesh and blood cannot be replaced by sermons and teachings. Sermons and teachings are beneficial at times, but the true food and drink of our spirit, which are the flesh and blood of Jesus, cannot be replaced by it. Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1). John tells the reader that Jesus is the very Word of God, and that by becoming flesh, he came into this world to dwell among us. But not only dwell among us, but he became the very meat itself that every disciple of Jesus must consume. Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, asking us to open it. When we open our hearts, he comes in and dines with us. What is the meat that he is dining on with us? It is his very flesh that he broke for us on the day that he carried the cross of Calvary. Then, how do we eat Jesus’ flesh and drink his blood? Catholics believe that when the priest prepares the Lord’s Supper, the bread becomes the real flesh of Jesus and the wine becomes the real blood of Jesus. Protestants believe that the bread and wine (or grape juice) do not become the real flesh and blood of Jesus, but represent the flesh and blood of Jesus. It seems both sides are missing the real point of the Lord’s Supper: to eat and drink of Jesus’ blood and flesh, which Jesus himself prepares. Whenever the early Christians gathered, they communed the Lord’s supper together. It was their way of life. The Lord’s supper was not only sacred, but it was where they got their daily meat and drink. They had not yet learned; they knew that no matter how poor or frail their meals were, when they presented them before the Lord in faith, the Lord prepared for them his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. When the Christians incorporated the Lord’s supper into their every meal and every gathering, they became powerful Christians. Although they did not have as much knowledge of Scripture as modern-day Christians, they practiced Jesus’ way of life because Jesus himself empowered them. Although some died because they abused the Lord’s supper, the power of Christianity came from the very essence of corporate gathering to share the bread and the wine incorporated into every worship and fellowship. Protestants revere the Lord’s supper, but they do not do it regularly, and this has weakened the authority given by the Lord Jesus. As our physical body needs to eat regularly, sometimes 3 times a day, we need to consume the flesh and blood of Jesus regularly. These days, it may be difficult to gather together to do the Lord’s supper every time. However, when a Christian in faith believes that the flesh and blood of Jesus are present in their daily meals and snacks, it powers their spiritual being.

The Flesh and Blood of Jesus

By Eunjin Chang • August 3, 2025
The Israelites ate manna and drank the water from the rock, but they still died in the wilderness. Jesus states that the manna did not come from Moses, but Jesus’ Father gave the manna to the Israelites to eat. The Jews missed the point of what the manna represented. It was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ flesh being torn apart for the transgressions. The water from the rock represented the blood of Jesus that flowed out of Jesus’ body. When a child is born, no one needs to teach the child to eat, expel waste, or sleep. These three things are natural for any human, young and old. Diseases and frailties in human beings occur when these three things that seem so normal are not done correctly. Even though we know that eating, expelling, and sleeping are the most fundamental physical needs of our body, many Christians forget that the same principle applies to the spiritual being as well. It's a matter of spiritual discipline and commitment. Our spiritual walk is the same. When we become believers in Jesus, we naturally begin to eat of the Word of God and delight in it. We learned what is Christian-like and what is not, and became accustomed to the church lifestyle. Just like when we mistreat our bodies by not eating properly in the correct quantity, not expelling waste regularly, and not sleeping enough, our physical health begins to deteriorate, and it may eventually lead to death. Similarly, neglecting our spiritual nourishment can lead to spiritual starvation and its consequences. Instead of eating spiritual food that is provided by Jesus, many Christians eat non-edible spiritual food, such as false teachings, worldly desires, and self-righteousness, and think that they are being well-fed. In John 6, Jesus repeatedly states that his flesh is the meat and his blood is the drink that every follower of Jesus must consume. However, many Christians fail to believe in Jesus’ words and even neglect, as you find out that near the end of John 6, everyone who followed Jesus because Jesus fed them bread and fish, left as they could not comprehend or obey Jesus’ teachings about eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood. This metaphorical 'eating' and 'drinking' refers to internalizing and living by Jesus' teachings, not a literal consumption of his physical body and blood. The thought of eating the flesh of Jesus and drinking the blood of Jesus offended the crowds and even those who called themselves disciples. It was hard to say, as they left Jesus. But Jesus emphasizes that those who eat of Jesus’ flesh and drink Jesus’ blood, Jesus shall raise that person on the last day: the day of the Lord. Jesus explicitly states here that to eat and drink of Jesus’ flesh is the actual meat and Jesus’ blood is the true drink that everyone who wants to be raised on the last day. As our physical body needs food and drink many times a day, our spiritual self needs nourishment just as frequently. The food that we must eat frequently throughout the day is the flesh of Jesus, and the drink that we must drink frequently throughout the day is the blood of Jesus. However, most Christians failed to understand this simple concept and starved themselves, looking for food and drink in other places, other than Jesus. It is crucial to remember that our spiritual nourishment comes from Jesus' teachings, and we should not starve ourselves by seeking fulfillment in other places. Just like our physical body, our spiritual body needs to eat, expel, and sleep. Then, how does our spiritual body eat, expel, and sleep?

Sample Blood of Jesus Prayer

By Eunjin Chang • April 2, 2025
Jesus, I desire to seek the throne of God at this moment. I know I am not worthy, and none of my work or accomplishments have any bearing on my ability to access God the Father. At this time, I pray and plead that you would cover my heart, thoughts, body, soul, spirit, environment, surroundings, and circumstances with the blood that you shed for me on the cross. Holy Spirit, I desire to seek the throne of God at this moment. I am accessing God the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ, as he has said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Holy Spirit, who knows the deepest things of God and searches my heart. I plead you to grant me the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation so that when I pray to the Father, the meditations of my heart and the prayers will please God the Father. Father God, I come to You, not by my righteousness or merit. I come to You humbly on one hand with the blood and the torn flesh of Jesus and on the other, the Holy Spirit. I plead You to look at the blood and the torn flesh of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is the reason in my life and the only way I come to You. Please accept my petitions and prayers as the Holy Spirit leads it. Father God, I remember and believe in Jesus' prayer at the Mount Gethsemane. He pleaded to Father God; I remember and believe in Jesus's prayer at Mount Gethsemane. He pleaded to You, "Not my will, but Your will be done," three times. I want to pray like Jesus and my sincere heart to be like Jesus. However, You know my heart. The shortcomings and all thereof. Therefore, I plead and ask, the blood of Jesus, which was shed for me at Mount Getsemene, that I, too, will pray the things of God, like Jesus. Father God, I remember and believe in the blood that Jesus has shed for me as he wore the crown of thorns. If I am under any curse, by my sin or other means, I plead and pray the blood of Jesus that he shed for me when he wore the crown of thorns on all curses and their effects. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command that all curses placed upon me be broken at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember and believe in the blood that Jesus shed for me when he was whipped forty times by the Roman soldiers. Isaiah 53 states that Jesus became blue and bled internally and bled externally in extreme pain due to my inequities and transgression. The scripture states that I have been healed by the stripes that Jesus has received on my behalf. I pray and plead the blood of Jesus that he had shed for me when he was whipped upon my life’s iniquities, lacking, diseases, emotional and physical diseases, relational issues, and other issues due to my iniquities. I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus that he shed for me as he was whipped be upon all these things I prayed. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all iniquities, diseases, and unwholesome things in my life to be restored whole at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember Jesus carrying the cross up to the place where he was hung. He bled while carrying the cross. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow me, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me.” I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, not by my might but by the blood he has shed for me while carrying the cross. I remember the places where he fell and picked up the cross as the Roman soldiers were whipping him, and people were shaming and physically harming him. The blood Jesus has shed for me while carrying the cross was for me so that I can become a disciple of Jesus. I remember when Simon carried the cross to the hill, you showed me that I, too, can carry my cross and follow you. Therefore, I plead and pray that the blood you have shed for me while carrying the cross is upon me, and by the power of the blood, I may be thoroughly equipped and encouraged to carry my cross and follow Jesus. I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus he shed for me as he carried the cross be upon my walk as a disciple of Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all things hindering me from being a good and faithful disciple of Jesus be destroyed at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember when he was nailed hand and feet upon the cross and suffered for six hours; he has shed his precious blood so that he can save me from sin and death. So that sin and death have no dominion over me. Father God, I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus Christ that he has shed for me on the cross be upon the past, present, and future of my life and completely submerged in it so that I, too, can live a life as "I've been crucified with Christ. Therefore, I no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in me." I pray and plead the blood of Jesus and declare that my life is no longer but only in Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command my soul and body to submit to Jesus Christ's wishes and desires at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember when Jesus gave up the ghost, the Roman soldier pierced his side, and his heart burst, and blood and water came out. Jesus did not reserve anything but gave all for me. I pray and plead that the blood and water that came out when the Roman soldier speared Jesus' side be upon me. I access Your throne in boldness and confidence by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed from the piercing of the heart. I pray and plead that You look at the pierced heart and the blood and water that came out on behalf of me. Although unworthy, I come to Your throne boldly because of what Jesus has done for me, the blood he shed. Father God, teach me the most profound things that only the Son knew. Lead me to live in the most secret parts of God and let me live the way that makes my Lord Jesus joyful. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits, dominion, and powers that hindered me from accessing the deepest desires of God by degrading me and accusing me of being destroyed by the name of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ be upon all the areas and influences that these wicked forces have occupied and be wholly transformed into Jesus' likeness. Holy Spirit, as You have granted me the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, I ask You to reveal what I should pray and how I should engage in spiritual warfare. I humbly ask You to take me and reveal the things of God that have been hidden for eternity. I humbly ask You that I will be a suitable vessel to You and Your ministry. Holy Spirit, take over my heart, thoughts, body, soul, spirit, environment, surroundings, and circumstances as Jesus' blood has done. After these prayers, do not hurry, but wait for God and His instructions to come into your heart. It may take a long time, but stay patient and keep meditating on the six bloods of Jesus Christ. God will reveal Himself to You because of the promise that is in the blood of Jesus.