Bread of Life - Names of Christ Advent Series
Have you ever participated in Passover?In obedience to Exodus 12:14, Messianic Jews (and a growing number of Evangelicals) continue to partake of the Passover year after year.
One of the most fascinating symbols on the table during the feast is the Passover feast is the bread. Three pieces of Matzah (unleavened bread) enclosed in a linen pouch have been placed on the table. Some refer to this pouch as a unity bag. Inside the bag are three compartments in which the pieces of Matzah are placed, one on top of the other. Removing the middle piece, they break it in half in the same way that our Lord did at the Last Supper. The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23b-24) One half is replaced, but the larger half (known as the afikoman) is wrapped in a white linen cloth, and hidden somewhere in the home until later in that evening.
What do the three parts signify?
Many Jews believe that these three pieces of bread represent the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; others believe they represent the priests, the Levites, and the Jewish people. But why then is the middle piece broken in half? And why aren’t they leavened? “It’s poor man’s bread” they say. “Fearful that he will run out of bread, he guards it carefully. Breaking it in half he saves some for the next day.” The symbolism is rich and can’t be denied. To the Messianic Jews, the three pieces of bread are the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
Striped for us
If you look at a piece of Matzah, you’ll notice how it’s pierced, and it’s bruised, and it’s striped. In the same way that Jesus was bruised for our iniquities and wounded for our transgressions, this cracker is wounded and bruised to remind us of the cost of redemption, and how by His stripes we are healed.And why is one piece wrapped in linen and hidden away for the children to find? This couldn’t be more obvious to anyone who is familiar with the burial and the resurrection of Jesus.The symbolism is a beautiful reflection of our Lord hidden away in the tomb until that morning He rose from the dead.And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, KJV)
Jesus is the Bread of Life
As we see throughout the Old and New Testaments, bread is one of the most symbolic elements found in the Bible. The Israelites were fed in the dessert as bread rained down from heaven. In the New Testament Jesus feeds five thousand and again another four thousand, teaching his disciples, Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:32-35)We see the showbread, otherwise known as “The Bread of the Presence” placed upon the table in the tabernacle. This bread was holy. It could only be eaten by the priests and only in the holy place. It was an invitation to fellowship with God in an intimate way, just as Jesus broke bread with mankind. When Jesus gave up His life on the cross, He bridged that gap between God and man. Opening the door of fellowship, we now have communion with God. Finally, just hours before His death, Jesus reclined with his disciples in a large upper room. Taking the pierced, and bruised, and striped unleavened bread in His hands, He gave thanks and broke it, "This is my body given for you,” He said, “do this in remembrance of me."
About the Author
Darlene Schacht is an Evangelical Christian whose number one priority is to serve Jesus Christ in every area of her life. She and her husband Michael live in Manitoba Canada. Married 25 years, they have four children (three still at home), a bird and two pugs. Their lives are basically surrounded with three things: our faith, music and everything books. She's an award winning and New York Times best-selling author who is nothing without the grace of God. Check out her website TimeWarpWife.com, here.
This is the fourth in the series of the Names of Christ.
I Am by Christ-Centered MamaThe Word by Lauren GaskillLight of the World by Dawn KlingeWonderful Counselor by Jessie of One Lost CoinBread of Life by Darlene of Time Warp WifeWay, Truth, Life by Sara of The Holy MessGood Shepherd by Amber of Through Hope's DoorMediator by Heather of Compared To Who?Prince of Peace by Rachael GilbertResurrection by Traci of Traces of FaithEmmanuel by Amaris of She is ReclaimedAlpha and Omega by Carmen of Married By His Grace 
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