John 6 Not Communion?

It struck me this morning reading through John chapter six again.  (not part of my sermon) but the argument of Jesus talking about the lord's supper.  The bread for the life of the world is his flesh.  It never struck me before to think of the world in connection to the Lord's supper argument.

Dr Nagel said, how can read John 6 and not think of the Lord's supper.  But if I read verse 51 as the Lord's supper it is given for the world to eat.  This would mean that it is for believers and unbelievers.  The bread Jesus gives for the life of the world is his flesh to be consumed by the world.  This can not be the Lord's supper.

I agree with Dr Nagel's statement but I think we miss the greater point that the flesh of Christ was sacrificed for the life of the entire creation.  Jesus uses the kosmos translated world to mean the sacrifice is for all to eat.  But St Paul and even Jesus would indicate the Sacrament of the Altar is Christ's flesh give in remembrance or faith in this sacrifice.

Even earlier in John 6 Jesus uses neuter forms of what the Father has given him and neuter forms which he will raise on the last day.  These people are even called unbelievers in verse 36.  Jesus is either saying we must have open communion, or he is talking about the living bread as something other than Holy Communion. Thank you.

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