Luke 24:30

‘And it came about that when he had sat down with them to a meal, he took the bread and blessed, and breaking it he gave to them.'

Once indoors they sat Him down for a meal and brought food to the table, and then something happened which must have astonished the two disciples. For without a by-your-leave the Stranger reached out, took the bread and blessed it and broke it. (See especially Luke 9:16; Luke 22:19 which reveal a pattern. Compare also Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7; Acts 20:11; Acts 27:35). At first this appeared to break all the rules of Eastern courtesy, for it was the host or master of the feast whose responsibility it was to take the bread, and bless and break it, and distribute it to those who sat at table. The guest was expected to recognise his position.

But their initial astonishment disappeared to be replaced by an even greater astonishment, for probably as a result of the way in which He did it they recognised that this was no discourtesy or arrogance. They recognised that the One Who had done it had the right to take charge of the feast, for it was the Master Himself.

Mealtimes were a regular place for teaching, so this was no exception. Compare Luke 5:29; Luke 7:36; Luke 14:1; Luke 14:7; Luke 14:12; Luke 14:15. Compare also the Passover meal which had been a teaching medium for over a thousand years, and which as a teaching medium, was specifically continued in the Lord's Supper. An incident like this adds a special dimension to the Lord's Supper as it reminds us that really it is Jesus Who is distributing the elements there and sitting with us at the table (compare commentary on Luke 22:30).