INTRODUCTION
The world is full of broken things - broken bones, broken windows, little birds with broken wings, not to mention broken hearts and broken homes. The Bible also refers to broken things:
1. A BROKEN BANQUET
Matthew 15:36 "And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude".
2. A BROKEN BUILDING
Mark 2:4 "And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay".
3. A BROKEN BOX
Mark 14:3 "And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head".
4. A BROKEN BODY
1 Corinthians 11:24 "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me".
Jesus did not cut the bread. He broke it. He was painting a picture of what was about to happen to His body. It would be violently wounded. It would be torn and mutilated. Tearing is worse than cutting.
In memory of the Saviour’s love
We keep the sacred feast,
When every humble, contrite heart
Is made a welcome guest.
Symbolic of His broken flesh,
We take the broken bread,
The cup in token of His blood
That was for sinners shed.
Under His banner now we sing
The wonders of His love
And so anticipate by faith
The heav’nly feast above.