Spirit-Filled Comfort Food

What is your favorite comfort food?

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

- Acts 2:42 (NIV)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.

- Acts 2:42 (NLT)

I remember, when I was in college a few years ago, taking final exams. It was a stressful few weeks filled with cramming, all-nighters, and above all, eating crazy amounts of junk food. But after each exam, whether I thought I did good or bad, I always had to get my childhood comfort food. My favorite comfort food is Korean-style chicken soup.

Every time I would slowly slurp up the broth, it would remind me of how my mom would make it whenever I was stressed or sick. And every time, it would make me feel better. It would remind me that no matter what happens, I am loved.

These comfort items will vary by person, as one article wrote, "but they all impact us in a similar way: they are soothing, re-establish the familiar, and have some element of nostalgia (which may enhance our sense of security)."

According to Acts 2:42, one of the critical components of a spirit-filled community is to break bread with one another. In this context, it refers to both sharing a meal or communion. In other words, one way to express koinonia fellowship is through eating together and engaging in communion together.

Think about how powerful this is! Non-Christians can eat food and be comforted and feel good… which is not a bad thing.

However, for us Christians, as we eat, breaking bread together, we can spiritually comfort one another with the love of Christ!

I have fond memories of eating with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, where it wasn't just good food, but it was spiritually nourishing.

To top it off, when we take communion together as a church, it is a moment when we are deeply comforted by what Jesus did on the cross for our sins. It is where we remember Jesus' love for us.

So for me, though it took some time, I try my best to recognize that this communion time is as rich and comforting as the Korean-style chicken soup. I, Sean, was and still am a sinner, yet Jesus sacrificed His life and died for me. He gave me a second chance. He gave me a clean slate.

Friends, I want to encourage you to pray that the sharing of a meal will comfort their soul the next time you eat with someone. Second, the next time we have communion, go deeper and make that better than your favorite comfort food.

As always, remember, you are loved today!

Pastor Sean

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