[wideawake]

The word eat is esthiÅ

Not here. Here it is phagein - to chew or gnaw.

It is a very graphic word.

sarx, a translation of this could mean physical flesh, but is also used in the context through the Bible as mere human nature

The passage then would make no sense - since "flesh" is only used figuratively to refer to the sin-prone aspect of human nature. Christ's sarx? is not general, it is the sarx of a very specific incarnated individual. An individual whose sarx is not sin-prone.

Christ is not telling the faithful to figuratively nourish themselves on sin-prone human nature.

He is telling them to nourish themselves on his own life-giving flesh.

[mnehring]

Odd, I am looking in Strong's, reference 5315 and it shows it is esthio, not phagein (I'm having trouble finding that use in the New Testament in similar context). The exact same word is used in Revelation Rev 2:17 in a very figurative verse (He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].)

What Strong's reference number do you have for phagein?