You are correct, they did indeed think Jesus was referring to his actual physical flesh and blood. They wanted a sign like what had been given in the wilderness manna from heaven: "So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat (V30).
Jesus gave them the sign he Himself is the true manna from heaven that will never perish and those who partake shall live.
Jesus answered them: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" .
Also what is the bread of life? Man shall not live by bread alone (physical) but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Spiritual) (Mt 4:4), remember this is nothing new, Jesus is quoting from the Old Testament (Deut 8:3). Jesus Himself is the word that has life. (John 1:1; 14:6).
These men had obviously no spiritual understanding:The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe (John 6:63-64).
It's a hard teaching because it's a spiritual teaching (V58), the unregenerate man cannot understand spiritual things: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV."
So it is not a simple misunderstanding. The fact is they were unregenerate and did not understand spiritual things. Why would Jesus couch spiritual meanings of his parables..isn't that unfair? Of course not. Again the text answers your question. its up to you whether or not you accept it. Remember Jesus knew they did not understand as He said this:
41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.
So Jesus Knew they did not understand was he being unfair..? if you say yes who's standards of fairness are you going by? and more importantly God is for Justice not fairness. Fairness leads to universalism because man likes to dictate what he deems fair. God deals in Justice.
And lastly,
44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day
Did you read that..No man, that's what it says, No man can come to Christ unless the Father draws them... and a truth just as glorious... Christ will raise us up on the last day.. He will not loose one sheep.
So your idea of fairness is at odds with God;s justice revealed through His word.
Regarding, the Roman Catholic view of the Eucharist I would not agree or partake. Christ died once for all.
Jesus gave them the sign he Himself is the true manna from heaven that will never perish and those who partake shall live.
Jesus answered them: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" .
Also what is the bread of life? Man shall not live by bread alone (physical) but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Spiritual) (Mt 4:4), remember this is nothing new, Jesus is quoting from the Old Testament (Deut 8:3). Jesus Himself is the word that has life. (John 1:1; 14:6).
These men had obviously no spiritual understanding:The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe (John 6:63-64).
It's a hard teaching because it's a spiritual teaching (V58), the unregenerate man cannot understand spiritual things: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV."
So it is not a simple misunderstanding. The fact is they were unregenerate and did not understand spiritual things. Why would Jesus couch spiritual meanings of his parables..isn't that unfair? Of course not. Again the text answers your question. its up to you whether or not you accept it. Remember Jesus knew they did not understand as He said this:
41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” 43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.
So Jesus Knew they did not understand was he being unfair..? if you say yes who's standards of fairness are you going by? and more importantly God is for Justice not fairness. Fairness leads to universalism because man likes to dictate what he deems fair. God deals in Justice.
And lastly,
44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day
Did you read that..No man, that's what it says, No man can come to Christ unless the Father draws them... and a truth just as glorious... Christ will raise us up on the last day.. He will not loose one sheep.
So your idea of fairness is at odds with God;s justice revealed through His word.
Regarding, the Roman Catholic view of the Eucharist I would not agree or partake. Christ died once for all.
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