Jesus' References to Drinking Blood
Jesus instructs the crowd to "drink my blood" (John 6:53-54, 56).
The Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament) taught that "the life of all flesh is its blood" (Lev 17:14; Deut 12:23). It was forbidden to drink any blood, let alone human blood (Lev 3:17, Lev 17:14, Deut 12:23). If Jesus is crafting a metaphor the image of drinking his blood is an unnecessarily repulsive choice.
It is true, as Paul wrote, that he would prove to be a stumbling block for the Jews (Romans 9:32), but I believe he would not add unnecessary hindrances onto the pathway to himself.
Therefore, I conclude Jesus told his listeners to drink his blood because it was literally true and needed to be said.
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(Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.)
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