Have you ever thought about how central meals were to the events surrounding Easter week?

The Bible says that the night He was betrayed, Jesus gathered with His disciples and celebrated the Passover meal. He sat and ate with His disciples, and in that moment established a meal we call Communion or the Lord's Supper as the remembrance that would be celebrated by Christians for generations to come.

Then, on that first Resurrection Sunday, meals again took center stage.

That evening, two of His disciples were traveling on the road to Emmaus when Jesus joined them. The Bible says they were "kept from recognizing Him." During that walk, Jesus then gave them the greatest Bible lesson of all time: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:27. NIV).

Still, these two disciples didn't recognize Jesus, until they arrived at Emmaus and shared a meal together...

"When [Jesus] was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him."(Luke 24:30)

Later that evening, Jesus appeared to the disciples, but they simply couldn't believe it was actually Him. So Jesus asked for some food...

"'Do you have anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence." (Luke 24:41-4)

+ + How meals change lives...

I don't think it was a coincidence that sharing meals was so central to the Easter story. My staff will often hear me say that something amazing happens over a shared meal. Perhaps more accurately, something divine happens over a shared meal.

When we "break bread" -- especially with those in need -- God's love and grace are poured out in ways we simply cannot comprehend.

This month, thanks to friends like you, Mercy Chefs will provide over 100,000 meals to those facing disaster and hardship. Our teams just finished responding to wildfires in Texas and tornadoes in Indiana and Ohio. Mercy Chefs staff and partners are blessing those in need in communities across this country and around the world.

Two thousand years ago, God used a meal to open the disciples' eyes. Today, He is using your support to provide meals that help the hurting and bring hope to the hopeless.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness, and I pray that this Easter week will be filled with the hope of His presence for you and your family.

God bless,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs

Go here to help sponsor meals for those facing disaster and hardship this month.