Charles Wesley - Bread Of The World, In Mercy Broken! Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

The timeless spiritual depth of Charles Wesley's "Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken!" found a renewed voice on October 28, 2013, with its re-release, reminding a contemporary audience of its profound message. While the hymn itself dates back to the very foundations of Wesleyan hymnody, this modern presentation ensures its vital truths continue to nourish souls. Written by one of Christianity's most prolific hymn writers, Charles Wesley, this piece, like many of his compositions, serves as a theological exposition set to verse, designed to prepare hearts for and reflect upon the sacrament of Holy Communion. It distills the essence of Christ's sacrifice, inviting believers into a sacred space of remembrance, repentance, and renewal, capturing the very heart of the Christian faith in two succinct stanzas.

The hymn unfolds with a reverent declaration of Christ's sacrificial love. The opening lines, "Bread of the world, in mercy broken! Wine of the soul, in mercy shed!", immediately establish the dual symbols of the Eucharist. The "bread broken" directly echoes Christ's words in Luke 22:19, "This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me," emphasizing the complete surrender of His physical form. Similarly, the "wine... in mercy shed" calls to mind the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:28), poured out for the remission of sins. The crucial phrase "in mercy" underscores that this immense sacrifice was not compelled by human merit, but by God's boundless, unearned love, a theme central to Paul's theology in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The hymn then affirms Christ as the source of divine revelation: "By whom the words of life were spoken." This resonates deeply with John 6:63, where Jesus declares, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life," establishing Him as the ultimate truth-teller and the very embodiment of God's saving message. The profound consequence of His atonement is powerfully articulated: "And in whose death our sins are dead!" This declaration is a powerful echo of Romans 6:6, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin," asserting that through Christ's death, the power of sin over the believer is definitively broken, leading to newness of life.

The second stanza shifts from a declaration about Christ to an intimate plea directed to Him, inviting a response of humble adoration and spiritual sustenance. "Look on the heart by sorrow broken, Look on the tears by sinners shed," expresses a deeply contrite spirit, recognizing human failing and the need for divine compassion. This yearning for God's merciful gaze aligns with Psalm 34:18, where it is written, "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit," and Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart – These, O God, You will not despise." It acknowledges that genuine repentance involves not just intellectual assent but a profound emotional and spiritual brokenness before the Holy. The concluding lines then articulate the purpose and promise of the Communion feast: "And be thy feast to us the token That by thy grace our souls are fed!" Here, the "feast" is understood not merely as a symbolic act, but as a tangible "token"—a visible sign—of an invisible grace. It’s a moment where spiritual hunger is satisfied by the life-giving presence of Christ, who declared in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." This feeding is entirely by "grace," reiterating the undeserved nature of God's provision and the complete reliance on divine favor for spiritual nourishment. Wesley brilliantly encapsulates the entire salvific narrative: God’s initiative in mercy, Christ’s atoning work, the believer’s repentant response, and the spiritual sustenance received through faith.

This hymn remains a powerful, engaging reminder of the central tenets of Christian faith. It's more than just a song; it's a concentrated theological reflection, a prayer, and an invitation to deeper devotion. Through its simple yet profound language, it draws us to the foot of the cross, encouraging us to contemplate the immense cost of our redemption and the unending mercy that makes it possible. For anyone seeking to enrich their understanding of the Eucharist, or simply to meditate on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the transformative power of His grace, "Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken!" offers an enduring source of spiritual insight and encouragement. It's a reminder that even today, the age-old truths of faith have the power to feed hungry souls and inspire renewed commitment to the One whose death brings life.