Rome-
You left out verse 63...
Whosurdaddy-
Who wrote: "Who deserted Jesus here? Answer: Those who interpreted him literally."
Excellent point indeed. Those who took Him literally were those who lacked understanding and therefore, abandoned Him.
And also said: "In other words, "eating the flesh" is the same as" believing and seeing Jesus" since both actions produce the same results."
You are close, but eating the flesh is speaking of digesting (meditating on) His Word. Think about it, the Word was made flesh. His flesh was the Word. So we eat and drink the word.
If you look at the verse that you are qouting from. It also say that the words are spirit and they (the Word) are llife. Now, if He says the Words are the life. Then His word is the Bread of Life in which He refers to. Also, check this out...
Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which
I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
The Word was made flesh...
With Love,
Snipe...