Tag: broke bread
Encouragement through breaking bread!
Scripture reading for June 10th: Acts 27
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 27:34-37 “”Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat it. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board.”
Paul was a prisoner on a ship headed for Rome in the storm season of approaching winter. He had given the ship’s captain some advice–a word of knowledge about the fate of the journey. The advice was not taken and now trouble had come upon the ship and they had been storm-tossed for 14 days. Paul again gave insight by the Spirit about how to survive. They must all stay with the ship and they also must take some food. Paul demonstrated his faith and courage by taking bread, giving thanks, breaking it, and eating! This encouraged all on board and they all safely survived the breaking up of the ship!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers take notice the pattern of Paul: taking, giving thanks, breaking, and eating! This was the pattern of Jesus at the Last Supper! He did this in front of the whole company on the ship and they were encouraged! “He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.” (Psalm 105:39-41)
The mission!
Scripture reading for April 29th: Luke 24:13-53
The resurrection brought fear, doubt, and amazement to the disciples of Jesus. On resurrection day, two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, talking about what had happened in Jerusalem. As they walked along, Jesus began to walk with them. They did not recognize Him as He questioned them about the experiences they were discussing. They shared their hopes of redemption through Jesus and how He was crucified. Then they told Him how some of the women had told them that Jesus was alive and how others had found the tomb empty. They weren’t sure what to believe!
After listening to them, “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning at the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25-27) Jesus was instructing His disciples and correcting their unbelief and they did not recognize Him! These two disciples asked Jesus to stay with them that evening and as He broke bread with them, they did recognize Him. He then disappeared from their sight!
They quickly returned to Jerusalem to tell the others! As they were telling their story, Jesus appeared to them saying “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36) They were frightened and thought it might be a ghost! He showed them His hands and feet and invited them to touch Him. He even ate some fish with them. He was a real man with flesh and bones.
The real task for these disciples lay ahead. “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what My Father has promised: but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:46-49) Jesus was still seeking out lost people and calling them to repent. These disciples would now be the witnesses who would share this truth. They would begin in Jerusalem and go to the nations! The gift of the Father would clothe them with power! His mission was their great commission!