11/15/2024
Have you ever wondered what happens when we break bread together? Is sharing a meal and the breaking of bread a spiritual occurrence or just the fulfillment of a biological need? This is our thought for this morning, and we should think on this every time we sit down to eat. Is communion the only time the Jesus joins you at the dinner table?
There is no argument that the human body needs nourishment to survive, but something amazing happens when we take that nourishment together as Christians. The act of eating together transforms us as we share our food with one another, and realize the close comparison between feeding the body and feeding the spirit. Mealtime is also a time of exchanging prayers and participating in discussion while eating, all other activities cease and we find ourselves joining together; it is like a mini Sabbath. Jesus fed those who came to hear him speak and it was a powerful part of being with Him.
Ann and I had dinner with our good friends Pam and Phil one evening and it blessed us. Eating together was a time when we could discuss our faith and how God was moving in our lives. Breaking bread together allowed us to unselfishly share our bounty with one another and to encourage each other in our spiritual walks. Mealtime for the Christian is about communion, family, prayer, encouragement... and of course it includes our physical restoration as well. It is a joyous occasion is every way.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:41-42 KJV
The apostles also knew that breaking bread was a powerful spiritual occurrence. After they had been filled with the Holy Spirit they continued to pray, save souls, and dine with those to which they spoke the gospel… and the power of this act of sharing brought many to a belief in Jesus as the Son of God. I can’t begin to imagine how many souls have been saved at dinner tables around the world.
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 KJV
If there had ever been any doubt of the spiritual power of breaking bread together, that was put to rest by Jesus in the upper room when he delivered the first communion. The message and power of that singular event, coupled with seeing his body and blood as a meal, changed not only His offering of the bread and wine into flesh and blood, but also his disciple’s spiritual and physical bodies from that moment forward. The act of breaking bread was forever revealed, and sealed, as a spiritual event… a sacrament.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Matthew 26:26-28 KJV
Then later, following the resurrection of Jesus, and before His ascension... there was Emmaus. Jesus revealed himself to the two apostles after traveling with them from Jerusalem, and He did this in a powerful way.... through a prayer and the breaking of bread with them.
“And it came to pass, as he sat at the table with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”
Luke 24:30-31 KJV
Do you remember what Jesus said that day in the upper room, as He shared his bread and wine? "this do in remembrance of me"... and thus, on the road to Emmaus, the two apostles knew Him, and they remembered Him. Do we know and remember Jesus over food and drink?
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 KJV
So when we dine and break bread together something powerful, wonderful, and spiritual, takes place. Not only is our body given sustenance, but our spirits receive encouragement from God and we remember His Son Jesus. Do we do this every time we dine? Are we too embarrassed to pray in restaurants, or wherever we take sustenance? Is eating with other Christians a special time of faith? Do we realize that Jesus is there with us each time we receive sustenance from our Father?
Prayer:
Thank you Father for your provision, our dining together, and the way we remember you, and your Son Jesus as we continue to dine with one another while awaiting His return. Father, we pray that you never let us break bread together that we don’t feel your presence, and remember your Son Jesus Christ. Strengthen us Lord in both body and spirit as we take leave of our labor and join together with one another before you at your table. Let our mealtimes and fellowship become a time of giving you thanks for your provision; not only for the food you provide for our bodies, but for the forgiveness from sin, and the spiritual nourishment which follows. God in this way we dine with you daily, and take your son into our bodies as He instructed us... by doing this we remember Him always… just as He remembers us in intercession before you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gave fishes and loaves to your Son’s students through a miraculous increase. Holy are you who provided manna and quail to the Israelites as you led them through the desert for 40 years, and holy are you who turned water into wine for your Son Jesus to use as He quenched the thirst of those attending a wedding. Amazing are you who hears us as we bless the food you provide, and as we prepare to take it into our bodies to glorify you… our bodies that will one day be resurrected, and which we offer you now on a daily basis. We have partaken of the nourishment that you provide us physically, and the body of Jesus that feeds our soul spiritually. We pray now that you will dine with us, and taste the offering we lay before you so that you will never forget us, but remember us always, and for all eternity.
Father, Bless this our meat, and our spiritual nourishment… Amen. And Amen!
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47 ESV
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
Rich Forbes