#1543. MAKE THE TABLE (6/7/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our series: I Will Dwell Among Them.
Today, we reflect on the truth:
The design of the Tabernacle, with its table and utensils, speak of God’s hospitality and invitation into fellowship with Him.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
“Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold moulding around it. Also make around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold moulding on the rim. Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with them. And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings. Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.”’ (Exodus 25:23-30)
1. The table speaks of fellowship with God
Like the ark, the table was overlaid with gold, had a ring in each corner, in which to insert the gold-overlaid poles to carry it on their journey toward The Promised Land - God tells Moses that it was to be made, ‘exactly like the pattern I will show you.’
The table, and bread, was symbolic of God’s hospitality and fellowship with Him. Tables in scripture point to hospitality - in this case, God’s invitation for us to come into intimate fellowship and feasting with Him.
It’s rather like preparing the table at Christmas. The food and table are prepared so that fellowship - connection - can happen.
Combined with The Bread of the Presence, we see this pointing to God’s people being invited into deep fellowship with Him.
The table foreshadows how Christ invites us into fellowship and feasting with God in His presence and Kingdom.
It reminds us of what we read in Psalm 23:
‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’ (Psalm 23:5-6)
The making of the table reminds us of our need to respond to God's invitation to fellowship with Him. We cannot create fellowship with God, but we can respond to His invitation, and we must do so in practical ways.
It’s rather like the Parable of the Great Banquet, where we read:
‘When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses…’ Luke 14:15-18)
Likewise, we must respond to Jesus invitation to enter the Kingdom of God, and we must also respond to His invitation to fellowship each day.
Response - Make a table
The design of the Tabernacle, with its table and utensils, speak of God’s hospitality and invitation into fellowship with Him.
Moses was told to "make a table" and the various utensils for its use. Likewise, we have to learn what it means for us to “make the table.”
To "make a table" speaks of things such as:
The table is our hearts - Setting our hearts to be a place where Christ dwells through faith.
The table is structure - Setting aside regular time to meet with God in prayer and worship.
The table is methods - Feeding upon God's Word and praying in ways that truly nourish our souls.
The table is consistency - Maintaining a lifestyle of faithful devotion rather than occasional enthusiasm.
The table is about priorities - Prioritising fellowship with God above the distractions and demands of life.
The table is about Jesus - Putting Christ at the centre of our faith - as the table held The Bread of the Presence - which speaks of Christ - so, we build the table (our spiritual practices) so as to hold Christ at the centre. Let’s never forget that Christ, not the table, is the focus. The spiritual practices help us to have fellowship with Him.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our I WILL DWELL AMONG YOU series, reflecting on God’s design for the Tabernacle and how this speaks to us of how we are to seek to build the church.
Please read Exodus 25:23-30 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What particularly inspired or challenged you from Sunday’s message? How did God speak to you through it?
The table and bread are God’s invitation to enjoy His hospitality - How should we respond to this? (See Psalm 23:5-6).
How does this ‘Show Bread’ point to Christ? (See John 6:30-35).
The bread was to be before God at all times. Along with Leviticus 24:7, what does do these things promise for us?
The priests, and only the priests, were to eat this ‘Bread of the Presence’. How can we constantly feed on Christ and what will be the result (See John 6:30-35)
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
From Exodus 25:1-9, Why will building the church according to God’s plan lead to evangelistic fruitfulness?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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