Gordon Darragh continued our short series, ‘Devoted’, addressing the issue of the third mark of a healthy church, the breaking of bread.
"THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING AND TO FELLOWSHIP, TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD AND TO PRAYER."
Questions to consider at the start
Why should the breaking of bread shape our worship?
How will it sustain our witness?
A. INVITATION
We were helpfully taken through 3 meals in the Bible.
1. The Creation Meal. This starts with the first thing God said to humanity:
"YOU ARE FREE TO EAT FROM ANY TREE."
His words are a complete, hunger-satisfying, pleasure-giving menu. He walked with them in the garden. He was present with them. So every meal they ate was a meal of feasting in the presence of the Lord.
REFLECTION POINT: The Creation Meal says: ‘WE WERE MADE FOR THIS’.
2. The Passover Meal.
This is another identity-shaping meal as God again provided a rescue for Israel. His rescue and all that it meant was pictured in a meal.
There was an act of rebellion. A month after they set off, they were protesting about food.
God’s grace came in the form of another meal. The bread appeared every day – daily reminders that it is God who satisfies our needs!
Isaiah calls people to the table who have nothing.
"COME, ALL YOU WHO ARE THIRSTY, COME TO THE WATERS; AND YOU WHO HAVE NO MONEY, COME, BUY AND EAT! COME, BUY WINE AND MILK WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT COST. WHY SPEND MONEY ON WHAT IS NOT BREAD, AND YOUR LABOUR ON WHAT DOES NOT SATISFY? LISTEN, LISTEN TO ME, AND EAT WHAT IS GOOD, AND YOU WILL DELIGHT IN THE RICHEST OF FARE."
REFLECTION POINT: The Passover Meal says: ‘YOU WERE RESCUED FOR THIS’.
3. The Sinai Meal. Mount Sinai is a place in the Bible where God meets people.
The 10 commandments were given; instructions about animal sacrifices for sin were set out, blood was sprinkled on the people, hinting at a day when God would rescue with costly sacrifice. The leaders were called up the mountain.
"THEY SAW GOD, AND THEY ATE AND DRANK."
REFLECTION POINT: The Sinai Meal says: ‘YOU WERE RESTORED BY THIS’.
B. FULFILMENT
– It provides a firmer grasp of the gospel
"…HERE IS THE BREAD THAT COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN, WHICH ANYONE MAY EAT AND NOT DIE. I AM THE LIVING BREAD THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN. WHOEVER EATS THIS BREAD WILL LIVE FOR EVER. THIS BREAD IS MY FLESH, WHICH I WILL GIVE FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD. "
– it is a sign of what is to come
As Paul wrote:
"WE PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES."
Christ is risen as a forerunner for us, so our future will also be a meal in resurrected physical bodies in the presence of Christ!
– It renews our relationships
We come together as people who belong to one another. We are to sort out grievances before we eat. We meet from around the world and across the generations – so we celebrate differences. We have communion with Christ together.
Questions to takeaway
Do we hear God calling us to eat in His presence?
Are we devoted to breaking bread?
Do we make it our priority to break bread together?
