PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 27:27-38
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all.” (Acts 27:35)
Paul breaks bread with the sailors and soldiers, and they are encouraged.
These words sound similar to words used when sharing the Lord’s Supper.
Some might disagree, since the Lord’s Supper is meant for believers.
I don’t know how this experience impacted them but it was definitely a grace experience.
Did they have faith in Jesus, as we would understand it.
Probably not, but they were learning the meaning of grace and faith.
I encourage open communion, welcoming anyone who wants to participate.
As the grace bread (manna) was for all, young and old, slave and free…
So this grace bread, received with thanks, was received by all… because of Jesus.
The benefit of such grace – and the Spirit at work in it – needs to be received by faith.
Faith is a response to grace, and I trust that the Spirit was prompting it in the crew.
The Spirit is also prompting us to trust in Jesus, every time we break bread.
Especially in our storms, when we are losing our courage and our hope.
Today when you break bread, let it encourage you to trust Jesus with your life!
PRAYER
Lord, whenever I eat, I am proclaiming your life, death and resurrection, and the hope I have in you alone. May I taste your grace whenever I ‘break bread’ today.
It’s such a remarkable scene: Paul is after all a prisoner – yet it seems that he is the one that exercises leadership – by now everyone on board is attentive to what Paul says and they are encouraged – Paul offers bread and breaks it and gives thanks to God – they see that – they know that Paul has a connection with a god – and He reassures them so they eat and are recharged – they act and prepare for the landfall. Jesus puts His followers in places to be like Paul as well – we are blessed to be a blessing to those around us. Lord, work through us we pray – that I may be a worthy follower!
“we’re in this together”. Everyone has a role to play, the sailors, soldiers and event the prisoners. They broke bread and fellowshipped together. “They were all encouraged” Help us play our roles with contentment and purpose!