[dollars_for_dogma]

"He already knew who wouldn't follow Him..."

Of course he knew; he's God.

The point is why did the Lord continue throughout (John 6:25-71) to refer to Himself (to his followers) as "the bread from Heaven" "....manna..." "...my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink?" if He were merely speaking figuratively? Why risk alienating his disciples?

It is because the Lord, never being at a loss for words, meant exactly what He was saying.

So, the ones who wouldn't follow were those who could or would not accept what the Church calls the Eucharist.

Verse 35....he is referring to Himself as "the bread of life" so, this is leading up v48 where again "I am the bread of life"....v51 "I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. Who came from Heaven? Our Lord did.

Continuing in John 6...."...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Our Lord is not talking about faith alone here.

[Iscool]

It is because the Lord, never being at a loss for words, meant exactly what He was saying.

So you haven't been hungry or thirsty for years, eh??? If you get a drink of water, does that mean Jesus was lying??? Or does that mean you aren't saved because you're thirsty???