⁵⁶ He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

In verse 56 Jesus clarified what He meant by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Uniting to Jesus by faith produces the effect of mutual indwelling with Him.

⁵⁶ He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides [remains] in Me,

This verse gives an effect of believing on Christ. Those who believe in the sacrificial death of Christ for their sins become incorporated with Christ. Instead of saying that a person has eternal life, Jesus now switched to the idea that we have the same identity with Christ when we believe on Him.

The word “abides” means remains, giving the idea of the abiding effects of belief in Christ. Coming to Christ is something more than what is fleeting. The relationship to Christ is a permanent one.

and I in him.

Our remaining in Christ and Christ in us gives the idea of union with Christ. This is the first time union with Christ is mentioned in the gospel of John. There is a mutual indwelling.

PRINCIPLE:

There is a coherence between Jesus and His people.

APPLICATION:

The moment people receive Christ, they become identified with Him. Jesus also identifies Himself with the believer. There is now a mutual indwelling between Jesus and those who believe on Him. There is an intimate relationship here.