BREAKING OF BREAD: Matthew 26:26-29;
Luke 22:19 Jesus said: “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” The practices of fellowship include participation in the ’emblems’ that Jesus himself gave as regular reminders of our part in him. It naturally follows that weekly attendance at the Memorial meeting where the emblems of bread and wine are shared, is a “law of the household”. In other words, participation is essential as commanded by Jesus in these passages and confirmed throughout the New Testament, as in: Hebrews 10:2-29, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2.
This memorial of the bread and wine are in scripture often referred to as “the breaking of bread”. In the first century, the disciples “broke bread from house to house” as they joined others who had committed to the joy of the gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ. We do well to follow their example through regular (weekly) participation in these emblems which represent the body and blood of Jesus.
There are six wonderful features associated with our participation in ‘the breaking of bread’:
a) It references thanksgiving to God as expressed when Jesus gave thanks for the bread and the cup of wine. Matthew 26:27.
b) It is a memorial: Jesus said: “Do this in remembrance of me” 1 Corinthians 11:25,26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”.
c) Christ’s commanded us to participate: “drink… in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19; Also: Hebrews 10:25 and Acts 20:7
d) This memorial provides us with “bread from heaven” John 6:53-58, and should be combined with regular ‘exhortation’ which provides encouragement in our walk in Christ.
e) Through participation in the sacrifice of Christ, we are reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-19
f) It is a renewal of our sacrificial service: Romans 12:1, our living sacrifice.