Breaking Bread

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him…” (Luke 24:30-31a)

In my morning devotions I read the above verse and was so struck by it. After His Resurrection Jesus walks with two of His disciples, but they don’t recognize Him (Luke 24:13-16). It was when Jesus blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to them that they knew who He was. The power of Communion is undeniable. The symbolism of the Body broken and the Blood shed remind us of the incredible grace, mercy and love of God. Jesus tells His disciples to “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

In Acts Chapter 27 we read how Paul, at the time a prisoner on his way to Rome, was shipwrecked. Prior to this they were out at sea where they “were exceedingly tempest-tossed” (verse 18). We then read how they “lost all hope of being saved” (verse 20). Paul was visited by an angel who told him God would save them all (verses 23-24). In their hopelessness they had all stopped eating, and Paul urged them to eat, “since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you” (verse 34). Then the most beautiful part: “And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves” (verses 35-36).

In both of these instances the broken bread represents the saving grace of God. Everyone on the ship was saved just as the angel told Paul they would be. If we read on, we see in Acts chapter 28 they are on the island of Malta and Paul heals many there (verses 8-9). It doesn’t say, but I wonder how many of the souls of the sailors, soldiers and island people were saved as well, as they witnessed the work and testimony of Christ through Paul.

In the upper room as Jesus breaks bread and they recognize Him, we see the confirmation of the Resurrection and the assurance of Eternal Salvation for all who believe.

Both parties were feeling hopeless and both were given life-sustaining bread. I pray that we all know Jesus as our Bread of Life (John 6:35; John 6:48), and that we break bread often in remembrance of Him and the Salvation He has given us.

Father, may our hope be found in Jesus and in Him alone. Amen.