#1544. THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE (7/7/26)

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 bread, speak to us of God’s promise of His presence, protection and provision. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

I don’t know if you use anything to help you to remember things. Some put string around a finger. Use post-it-notes. Reminders on their phones… A wedding ring is a great example of a reminder - it reminds the wearer of who they are and the covenant relationship that they are in. 

For Israel, the whole Tabernacle structure at the centre of the camp reminded them of who they were. More specifically, along with the jar of manna that was to be kept inside the Ark, the twelve loaves of bread that were to be kept constantly on the table in the holy place reminded them of God’s presence, protection, and provision. 

There were to be twelve loaves constantly on the table in the Holy Place (Leviticus 24:5-9). They were arranged before God continually as a sign that the covenant people lived in His presence and depended upon Him.

God later gave detailed instructions:

• Twelve loaves were baked from fine flour (Leviticus 24:5).

• They were arranged in two rows (or piles) of six (Leviticus 24:6).

• Pure frankincense was placed with them as a memorial offering (Leviticus 24:7).

• Every Sabbath the loaves were replaced with fresh bread (Leviticus 24:8).

• The old bread was eaten by the priests in a holy place (Leviticus 24:9).

Today, I want us to see, that among the many things that the bread symbolised, it was a promise of God’s provision and protection. 

As the priests - and only the priests were to eat this holy bread - So we are to ‘eat’ God’s provision of bread. 

This is, firstly, about His provision of our daily needs. Bread is a basic necessity of life. The loaves testified that Israel's sustenance came from God. Just as He provided manna in the wilderness, He continued to provide for His people.

More fully, this is about ‘eating’ the provision of the bread of Christ - our life and sustenance. 

Jesus makes the link with Himself regarding God’s provision of miraculous bread: 

Jesus is the true bread - He is what the bread of the presence and the manna point to. 

He not only provides for our daily needs, He also provides for our deepest spiral need of new, eternal life. 

Likewise, we are to be confident of God’s ability to meet all our needs, and , in response, we are to pray “Give us today our daily bread”. 

Response

The design of the Tabernacle, with its table and bread, speak to us of God’s promise of His presence, protection and provision. 

• As the bread was before God at all times, do we truly know that God sees us, we are with Him at all times. The bread and the incense remind us that we are constantly before Him. 

• As His ‘royal priesthood’ do we know that we can eat the bread? We can be sure of God’s provision of daily bread, but also we are invited to eat of Christ - Our true bread of life. 

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:

1. Personal Reflection – What particularly inspired or challenged you from Sunday’s message? How did God speak to you through it?

2. The table and bread are God’s invitation to enjoy His hospitality - How should we respond to this? (See Psalm 23:5-6). 

3. How does this ‘Show Bread’ point to Christ? (See John 6:30-35). 

4. The bread was to be before God at all times. Along with Leviticus 24:7, what does do these things promise for us?

5. 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.