Breaking Bread on Sunday

What is the emphasis at the Lord's Supper? The cross or the resurrection?

A common phrase for the Lord’s Supper throughout Luke-Acts is, “breaking of bread.” This phrase does not simply designate a casual meal. It is technical and specific language used to describe the Lord’s Supper. Interestingly, in Luke 24:30, 35 and in Acts 20:7, 11 the phrase is closely associated with the resurrection. The disciples in Emmaus “recognized” the risen savior when he “broke the bread” and Paul “broke bread” both before and after raising Eutychus from the dead. When compared with each other, these two texts bear striking resemblances to each other. Luke’s emphasis suggests when we “break bread” the resurrection should saturate our thoughts. Sunday is the day where we gather around the table to “break bread.” Sunday is the day of the resurrection not the day of the cross.

The cross happened on a Friday and is often present with us on Sunday. After all, you cannot have Sunday without Friday. Put differently, the holiness of the atonement must precede the glory of the resurrection. But Friday is put into perspective on Sunday. Sunday allows us to look back at Friday and call it “good.” When we gather to “break bread” we declare that it is Sunday, not Friday. We declare that the death of Friday does not win. Sunday is a day of resurrection and life and every Sunday is Easter Sunday. Sunday wins over Friday!