When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. . . .

— Luke 24:30-31

This story in Luke 24 is mysterious. During the previous week, Jesus had eaten his final Passover meal with his disciples and had washed their feet. Then he had been arrested and crucified. But on Sunday morning some women who had gone to visit his tomb had said they had seen Jesus, alive!

Now two of Jesus’ followers were walking along the road to another town, and a stranger joined them. They told him of the tragic events of the previous week. The man then shocked them by teaching from the Scriptures that all these things had to happen to the Messiah, the Savior of God’s people.

When they reached the town, the two invited the man to stay with them. As they began to eat together, the man “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” Then “their eyes were opened and they recognized him”— their Lord Jesus was alive! And then he disappeared.

The two said later that their hearts were “burning within” them as Jesus walked with them and taught them from the Scriptures. But it was not until he broke the bread that he became known to them.

Similarly, our hearts can burn within us as we learn the Scriptures, and we can walk with Jesus in the power of his Spirit. But at the Lord’s Supper we can encounter the Lord in a profound, unique way.

Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself in the breaking of bread. Fill us with your life to live for you. In your name, Amen.