Breaking Bread with Strangers

When believers gather, we gather as a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus. We also gather to proclaim that death and resurrection. That’s the gospel.

One of the ways we proclaim that gospel is fairly humble. We eat bread and drink wine. And so Paul,

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

The Bible tells us to declare the death and resurrection of Jesus with a meal.

But this is not the only opportunity we have to proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. We have this opportunity every time we break bread. Every time we gather with others to share a meal.

To some – those who think that the nations will be won through strobe lighting, a full colour brochure and a smoke machine – this lacks sophistication. They’d be right. It isn’t sophisticated. It’s humble. It’s simple. It’s also the way God got this world underway, how He will save it, and how He will celebrate His salvation in the last day With a meal (Genesis 2:8-9, John 6:54, Revelation 19:7–10).

Easter is coming up, and that usually brings about a call from the pulpit to double our efforts in sharing the gospel with others. And many will get themselves into a feverish twist trying to make something big happen. There’ll be events, concerts, flyers, dignified speakers and youth camps. But I want to suggest something else.

And it is just that – a suggestion. Nothing here to bind the conscience, just a suggestion – actually, it’s two – that I invite you to take to heart.

First, between now and the end of April, I would encourage you to share a meal with unbelievers. Whether you take a co-worker to lunch, or have a neighbouring family over for a BBQ, the task is a simple one.

Before Easter is all but forgotten, break bread with some unbelievers.

The second suggestion is to simply pray that God would use it for their good, and His glory.

Don’t have them over, and then get into a sweat about how will you ever bring up the gospel. Don’t worry about that. Give it to God. You are not selling insurance, and you are not in multi-level marketing. You don’t have to close any deals. We are a family and a people.

This is not about dealing with quotas or time lines or pinning anyone down with four spiritual laws or two ways to live. This is about bread. You behave as a godly Christian should and see where the conversations goes.

And that last pointer is all-important. You don’t need to steer the conversation. Instead, just be a good host and watch where God takes it.

As believers, though we don’t always understand the way symbols like bread and wine work, we trust God in their use, for He had ordained them. Not as systems of magic, but as the power of God to open eyes.

When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened… (Luke 24:30-31).

So there it is. A simple exhortation this Easter. Invite a non-Christian over for a feed. Pray about it and see what happens.