"those that left Jesus believed that He was speaking of offering to them (to consume) His physical flesh and blood. That is exactly what you believe, ... not I."
OK. Lets look at exactly what Christ said:
I am the living bread…
whoever eats this bread will live forever…
the bread that I will give is my flesh…
unless you eat the flesh…
drink his blood…
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…
my flesh is true food…
Whoever eats my flesh…
Christ said he is the Bread. Christ said the bread is His flesh. Christ said we must eat His flesh.
This is what Christ said. This is what the followers heard. Those disciples who did not believe it left him.
I am exactly consistent with Scripture and the actual words of Christ. It is you, my friend, who is changing the words of Christ to fit your personal beliefs and traditions.
You can believe “is” means “represents”, but that is not what Christ said.
You can believe “is” means “represents”, but that is not what Christ said.
Actually, ... (and forgive me if I haven't been clearer in past statements) ... I believe that Jesus is our spiritual bread ... through which we receive spiritual life.
I don't believe that Jesus is physical bread.
I believe that Jesus is our spiritual Light.
I don't believe that Jesus is physical light.
I believe that Jesus is our spiritual Door (into the Kingdom of God).
I don't believe that Jesus is a physical door.