What Jesus Did! 'Recognized in the Breaking of the Bread' — Luke 24:28-35

Friday, December 29, 2023

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By this time [Jesus and the two disciples] were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter."

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

— Luke 24:28-35 NLT

Key Thought

Every meal is sacred when Christians gather to share it. When we share the Lord's Supper, we are most certainly to recognize the presence of the Lord with us. The meal in today's verses, however, is a reminder that even the most common times of table fellowship are sacred and precious moments of Jesus' presence. When we eat together, let's never let a single meal pass without our conscious realization and recognition of the Lord's being with us.

Today's Prayer

Holy Father, thank you for making meals sacred moments with your Son. Forgive me for trivializing mealtime with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I confess that I get so busy and rushed that I often miss the opportunity to welcome the Savior into our fellowship. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:41-47
  • Revelation 3:20
  • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 24:28-35 NLT — "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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