Luke 22:19-23 19And after taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Jesus continued the Seder meal with his disciples by taking the matzah, the bread of the Passover meal. Unleavened bread is used in remembrance of how the Israelites needed to hurry and leave Egypt. They did not have time for the bread to rise. Traditionally, three matzos (small loafs of bread) are placed in a special white covering called the matzo toff. The middle matzah is removed and broken. The larger piece is wrapped and hidden and is called the afikoman, meaning “that which comes later.” The afikoman is hidden to be found and redeemed later for a reward. The smaller piece is eaten before the meal.
Rabbis have debated why there are three matzos. Some rabbis say these represent the High Priest, Levites, and people of Israel. Another idea is that they represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A third idea is that these stand for how in the wilderness God gave daily manna, but on Friday a double portion was given and one is added for Passover, making three.
None of these explain why the middle matzah is broken, hidden, and then brought back to the people. For Christians, this tradition makes beautiful sense as a preview of what Jesus did. Jesus fulfills this part of the Passover. The three loaves represent God who is revealed in three persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Son left the Holy of Holies, heaven, was broken, buried, and brought back to life. The one who finds him receives the great reward of eternal life.
The disciples did not understand this fulfillment at this point, but they had more insight as Jews than most modern Christians do about the significance of these symbols. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks to the Father for providing not only physical nutrition but the source of eternal life. The verb used for giving thanks used here (eucharistēsas) is the word used for Eucharist, which is often used for the “Lord’s Supper.” The Supper is an expression of thanksgiving for what God has done by sending his Son as the Redeemer and Savior of the world.
Jesus took the bread and broke it in a visible and symbolic way. The breaking of the bread represented how his body would suffer and be broken for the salvation of humanity. Breaking of the break also enabled it to be divided among the disciples, allowing each one to take a portion. The church as the body of Christ is unified as one but also individual, with each person being accountable for believing and contributing spiritual gifts to the whole.
The attributive participle is given (didomenon) is in the present tense representing all that Jesus was doing and about to do. The participle is passive, with God as the assumed actor. God gave his Son who willingly gave himself in our behalf. The antecedent for this is not clear, but it is assumed that the disciples are to break bread themselves in the future as a way to remember Jesus’ soon coming sacrifice. Another challenge is to determine when this is to be remembered. Is it only at Passover time once a year, on special occasions (Sunday services, mass, or communion times), or every time disciples eat? The New Testament is not clear. Most people do not eat bread for every meal, so the last option is not very practical. Once a year is likely not frequent enough because of the failure of human memory. Special occasions could work, but often, this practice becomes formal, a ritual, or loses its significance. However we may eat bread, in a worship service or as a part of daily nuitrition, we must always remember what Jesus has done for us.
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