Lifelines That LastSample

Lifeline of Breaking of Bread

I love this story from Acts for several reasons. First, it lets us see Paul on a whole new level. Paul had something to say, and he said it. He knew he was leaving the local believers the next morning, so he wasn't wasting one minute. Paul preached till midnight. He spoke on and on. That ought to make you laugh out loud right there.

A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window listening to Paul preach. He became so drowsy he fell asleep, dropped out of the window, fell three stories, and died! What was Paul's response? He went downstairs, picked him up, dusted him off, said, "He's fine," went back upstairs, and started preaching some more. You've got to love Paul.

Second, I love this passage because it shows us how good God is to meet us right where we are. The early church was devoted to breaking bread together. Throughout the book of Acts, the breaking of bread refers to participating in the Lord's Supper or sharing a meal. Here, in Acts 20, we see both. The early church gathered to share the Lord's Supper in verse 7 and to share a meal in verse 11.

What are we to remember when we take the Lord's Supper, communion? We are told to remember the body of Jesus that was broken for us and the blood of Jesus that was shed for us. Why? So we might have the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. What a visual! The early church was gathered to remember that Jesus is the source of life. They had a lifeline through Jesus.

While they were gathered, Eutychus fell to his death and was brought back to life. The very thing they were gathered together to remember played out AGAIN right before their eyes. How did they respond? They took the Lord's Supper together, and they ate a meal. It's like Jesus said, "Let me show you again how real I am. I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE." Celebrate that!

Breaking bread together, celebrating in the Lord's Supper, and remembering what the sacrifice of Jesus has provided for us strengthens our lifeline. His body was broken for you. His blood was shed for you. He died for you. He rose again 3 days later for you. He did it all for you. So that you can have access to forgiveness. So that you can have access to eternal life. Being devoted to remembering that truth adds strength to your lifeline!

Application Questions

1. How would you have responded if you had been in that third-story room, and you saw Eutychus fall to his death and then come back to life? What would have been on your mind in that moment?
2. What was on your mind the last time you participated in communion at church? What can you do to have those moments not be a ritual but an actual remembrance that brings strength to your lifeline? How can you make those moments deeply personal? This is for me…Jesus did this for my salvation…what would you say?
3. When was the last time you gathered with other believers for a meal that included communion? Why not try that in the next two weeks? Who will you invite? What will you say? In what ways will this strengthen your lifeline?