Because in the same passage Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
So if you have ever hungered or been thirsty, either you haven’t come to Jesus OR He was using a metaphor.
He also said, 63”It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
As for ‘born again’ being essential, that is determined by Jesus Christ. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Sounds pretty essential to me. “Cannot” is used, not “might not”.
Unless "hunger and thirst" is the metaphor...
As for ‘born again’ being essential, that is determined by Jesus Christ. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” .... Sounds pretty essential to me.
And
Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. [54] Whoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.doesn't?