The crowds disappear (John 6)

As Jesus discussed the realities of following Him, the crowds got a whole lot smaller.  The fact is, following Jesus isn't easy.  Living the way He taught people to live isn't easy.  Last week I was listening to a sermon that was forwarded to me via email, and the speaker commented that one of the biggest disservices done to faith in America is the false teaching that a person can pray and prayer to be saved but continue living however he or she wants.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  In His own words, Jesus told the crowds in John 6 that those who follow Him must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood.  What was He referring to?  Presumably the sacrifice that He Himself was going to make.  To be a follower of Christ includes following Him to the cross.  The cost of following Christ is high, and the road is lonely and narrow.