By Bread AloneSample

Path to Emmaus

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. . . . When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ (NRSV)

Do you hear any parallels from our readings this week?

Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his disciples.

In our story yesterday, Jesus promised that the bread would serve as a reminder of his presence with his people. In today’s story, we see that reality at play.

Jesus walked with his disciples all day long, but they didn’t realize who he was. Their eyes deceived them; their ears deceived them. Even the words he spoke failed to trigger their realization of who was in their midst.

It was the offering of bread itself that sparked understanding. And once they received it, Jesus disappeared.

Every time we break the bread of Communion with our church community, we do it in remembrance of Jesus. As we taste the bread on our tongues, we remember God’s provision, God’s promises, and God’s presence with us.

But in the use of bread again and again as a storytelling device throughout the narrative of Scripture, God shows care for us in even the most mundane aspect of our lives—our daily need to eat. The provision, promise, and presence we know at the Communion table extend to all the tables we eat at throughout the week.

As you chew on these stories, remember God’s presence in the mundane moments of your own life too. Remember God’s promise and provision every time you knead dough or pick a loaf up from the store, every time you smear butter on toast or bite into a sandwich.

The Bread of Life is with you every time you eat.

We hope you enjoyed this study! For COMPLIMENTARY resources and to learn more about Kendall Vanderslice, please visit http://kendallvanderslice.com/about or http://kendallvanderslice.com/by-bread-alone.