And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.
Mark 14:22-24
Years ago, I learned a simple lesson that I pray will help you today. If you want to be blessed, you first need to be broken. Earlier, in Mark chapter 6, Jesus fed the five thousand; He broke the bread and blessed it, and the disciples distributed the food to everyone. This breaking, blessing, and distributing of bread brought life. And now, Jesus is taking the bread and breaking it as a symbol of His imminent death--a symbol that still resonates in our lives to this day when we take communion.
Before blessing comes brokenness. It was that way in Jesus' life
and it will be that way in your life.
Brokenness hurts. Trials are no fun. But in those broken times, God reveals Himself to you in powerful ways; ways that you wouldn't otherwise see. He wants to teach you things beyond your imagination. He wants to show you how to live and what it means to live by faith.
Guess what happens when you break in a horse? Yep, you got it. Among many things, that horse becomes your companion, useful for so many things. Now, I'm not saying that you all are horses, but I think you get the picture.
The brokenness of Jesus brought about eternal life!
Any amount of being broken cannot compare to His awesome sacrifice for our sins. So learn from the trials that come your way. God is doing amazing things in your life. Experience and embrace those broken times and be ready for the blessing to flow.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart--these,
O God, You will not despise"
O God, You will not despise"
(Psalm 51:17)
"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit"
And saves such as have a contrite spirit"
(Psalm 34:18)
