When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (NIV)

There was something in Jesus’ breaking of the bread that struck a chord with them (35). Perhaps they saw the marks of the nails in His Hands? I don’t know. But I was thinking, as I read these verses, that we have to receive what Jesus has done for us. He wants to ‘give’ to us the broken bread of His body; the benefits of His atoning sacrifice. Every time we take communion, eating the bread and drinking the wine, receiving it inside ourselves, we physically recognise our need of Jesus within. What He has done for us is objective fact outside of ourselves, but only when we take His gift inside ourselves do we receive the benefits.

I was also thinking that our own meal tables can be sacramental. When we share hospitality with others, prayerfully asking Jesus to be present – to bless our guests, and the food (however simple) and the conversation – who can say what He will do with this? The space of hospitality may also become the place of revelation