Bread, Bread, bread. 250 times over it is mentioned in the Bible! It is nourishment, sacrifice, generosity, and spiritual connection. It has even more themes too. From ancient times to now we still use the reference to break bread meaning to have a meal together. The ancient Greeks used the breaking of bread as a symbol of generosity to travellers guests and visitors. Breaking bread was a specific act. They would break a new loaf and tear it into pieces and share with everyone. They could have cut it but they did not the idea was not about equal portions but about hospitality and generosity not equality. This was a celebration and guests were thankful of their hosts willingness to share his bounty.

Maundy Thursday commemorating the last supper is today. So much wrapped into one day!

-new commandment “Love one another as I have loved you”

-New sacrament “Holy Communion”

-Betrayal

-denial of God, rooster crowing

But I want to talk about bread. I was brought up in the church and had a lot of religious education including a class before receiving Holy communion. Yet either it was never explained to me in the following way or it was and I was not listening.

Matthew 26:26-28, it says: “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.’”

Jesus broke the bread pulling in well known cultural thoughts of giving, generosity, and hospitality. He broke it representing his body which would be broken the following day! Also the wine representing his blood which would literally be flowing and would figuratively wash away the sins of the world. It makes me wonder how hard it must have been for Jesus to deliver those words. Did it pain him to “break” the bread knowing what was coming? He was God and yet man and there had to be a large part of his human being hoping, longing and praying as we all do for self preservation. But he knew what he had to do and that his pain would mean salvation for all man kind forever and ever. This coming weekend may we break bread with family and friends and be thankful for our Heavenly Host!