#1545. CONSTANTLY FEED ON THE BREAD OF LIFE (8/7/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 8
- 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 bread, speak to us of God’s invitation to constantly feed on the presence of Christ.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘“Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.”’ (Exodus 25:30)
In our last two devotionals, we been reflecting on the what the design of the table with its bread means for us today. Firstly, we saw how the table is an invitation to deep fellowship with God. Secondly, we saw how the ‘bread of the present’ is a promise of God’s presence, protection and provision. Today, I want us to think a little more about how we can constantly feed on the presence of Jesus each day.
1. It being called ’the bread of the presence’ speaks of our being present with God
Firstly, the name ‘bread of the presence’ - Hebrew: lechem panim - means:
Lechem = bread
Panim = face, presence
Secondly, Leviticus 24:7, told them:
‘”By each pile put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the LORD.”’ (Leviticus 24:7)
The Hebrew word translated ‘memorial portion’ (azkarah) speaks of a reminder before God. The incense rising into the air was a physical parable of how God is constantly aware of His people - they are before Him at all times.
It’s important to note that these twelve loaves of bread that were to be in The Holy Place at all times was called ‘the bread of the presence’. As the loaves and incense were constantly in the presence of God, so we, in Christ, are constantly in God’s holy presence. Wherever we go, we are also seated with Christ in the heavenly realms - we are constantly in The Holy Place. As the priests were to take fresh bread into The Holy Place every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:8), So Jesus, our great high priest, brings us into the presence of our holy God.
2. It being called ‘’the bread of the presence’ speaks of our invitation to seek God’s presence
We are told that, each sabbath, the old bread was eaten by the priests in a holy place (Leviticus 24:9). Likewise, we, as God’s priests are to eat God’s bread - feed on Christ; It’s being named the bread of the presence also speaks to us God’s invitation and our need to actively seek and feed on the presence of God.
Knowing and believing that we are, in Christ, seated in heavenly places in the presence of God, is not the same as actively seeking to feed on Christ. One is objective and unchangeable, the other is dependent upon our active faith and response.
Our salvation and presence with God is always true. However, our feeding on Christ, our remaining in the vine, our being filled with the Spirit… vary based upon our prayerful response.
We are given a picture of feeding on God in the previous chapter in Exodus:
‘Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.’ (Exodus 24:9-11)
May we ‘See God, and…eat and drink’!
Constantly feeding on Christ, is contained In Jesus’ declaration:
‘“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”’ (John 6:30-35)
This, of course, is about salvation; however, it’s also an invitation to feeding on Him each day.
Response
The design of the Tabernacle, with its table and bread, points us to God's invitation to continually feed on Christ and enjoy His presence.
As we reflect on this, I simply want us to recognise that asking Jesus to fill and sustain us is an essential daily practice. We are constantly faced with difficulties, disappointments, unmet expectations, pressures, and temptations. Left to ourselves, these things can drain our strength and rob us of joy.
God's answer is not merely to give us more resources, but to give us Himself. He sustains us through Christ - the true Bread of Life - who nourishes our souls and strengthens us for each day.
Therefore, let us make it our habit to come to Him regularly, asking Him to feed us, fill us with His presence, and satisfy our hearts. As we continually feed on Christ, we will find the grace, strength, and encouragement we need to persevere and flourish.
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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