Later on today, I am going to be breaking bread with one of my deacons, Deacon Shawn Thorington. Deacon Thorington is a faithful man who is full of the spirit of God and trustworthy, caring, and loyal. While, we always go to great restaurants and get unique dishes, my excitement to be with him and share in a meal has much more to do with the significance of breaking bread. Breaking bread is a biblical idea that is the basis for why Christians share in communion.
As believers, we should embrace any opportunity we have to break bread with fellow believers because it symbolizes our unity in Christ. It reminds us that we are all part of the same body and that we should be loyal and caring towards one another. Additionally, the act of breaking bread is not only a way to show our unity in Christ, but it also allows us to come together and share in God’s blessings.
Jesus Himself used bread as a symbol of His sacrifice on the cross. By partaking in communion, we are reminded of His sacrifice and our redemption through His blood. The breaking of bread is also a way for us to demonstrate our thankfulness to God for all He has provided for us. In essence, sharing a meal with fellow believers reminds us of the community God has established for us and provides an opportunity for us to come together in worship.
Furthermore, sharing a meal with fellow believers helps us to build deeper relationships and form stronger bonds within the church community. When we share a meal with others, we learn more about their lives and struggles and can encourage and support one another in our faith journeys. In turn, this provides an opportunity to grow in our understanding of God’s love and how to apply it to our everyday lives.
Breaking bread is a meaningful and symbolic tradition within the Christian faith. It reflects our unity in Christ, the power of His sacrifice, and the community we share with fellow believers. We should embrace every opportunity we have to break bread with others and use these opportunities to deepen our relationships, encourage one another, and grow in our faith. As we share a meal together, let us remember the blessings God has given us and strive to emulate His love in our relationships with others.
Dr. Aaron Lewis, September 22, 2023
To learn more about why breaking bread is meaningful, please check out these biblical references:
- Luke 22:19-20 – “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
- Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – “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.”
For additional reading or viewing sources, we recommend:
- “Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- “A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table” by Tim Chester
- “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning
- “Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes” by Shauna Niequist
- “The Art of Neighboring” by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
- “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren