Breaking Bread

"Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Hi there my Brothers and Sisters in Christ! In the life of a Christian, few practices are as profound and sacred as the breaking of bread. This simple act, rooted in deep tradition and commanded by Christ Himself, carries immense spiritual significance. BUT DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF WHAT WE ARE DOING?

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

The breaking of bread, or the Lord’s Supper, was instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed. In Matthew 26:26-28, we read, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

In this moment, Jesus was establishing a new covenant, signified by His body and blood. The breaking of bread and sharing of the cup are not mere rituals but are deeply symbolic acts that remind us of Christ’s sacrifice and our redemption through His blood.

The Early Church and Breaking Bread

The early Christians continued this practice with great reverence. Acts 2:42 tells us, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The breaking of bread was central to their worship and fellowship, a constant reminder of Christ’s presence among them and His sacrificial love.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul reiterates the importance of this practice: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

The Gravity of Breaking Bread

Breaking bread is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we are not only recalling Christ’s sacrifice but also proclaiming His death and resurrection until He returns. This act binds us together as a community of believers, unified in our faith and our commitment to Christ.

Paul warns the Corinthians about the seriousness of this act in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29: “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

This passage underscores the gravity of breaking bread. It is not something to be taken lightly or done out of routine. It calls for self-examination, repentance, and a deep understanding of what the bread and cup represent.

The Spiritual Nourishment

Breaking bread also serves as spiritual nourishment for believers. In John 6:53-56, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”

Through this spiritual meal, we receive life and strength from Christ Himself. It is a means of grace, a way through which Christ imparts His life to us, sustaining us in our spiritual journey.

A Call to Unity

Breaking bread also symbolizes our unity as the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul writes, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”

This act calls us to unity, reminding us that we are all part of the same body, the church, and that we share in the same grace and salvation. It challenges us to live in harmony, love, and mutual respect.

Wrapping up

As we break bread and share the cup, let us remember the profound significance of this act. It is a time of remembrance, proclamation, spiritual nourishment, and unity. Let us approach it with reverence, self-examination, and a deep sense of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice.

DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF WHAT WE ARE DOING? May we continually seek to grasp the depth of this sacred practice and allow it to draw us closer to our Lord and to one another.