Midweek Message from the Archive
Table of Showbread
When I was young I watched a show based on a futuristic family called the Jetsons who were so technologically advanced they viewed a person on the phone! Today we have FaceTime and Zoom. Let’s see … Table of Showbread … FaceTime?
The Table of Showbread wasn’t just any table, this was The Table representing God’s face-to-face presence inside the Holy Place. This table of bread (in Hebrew it’s literally FaceBread) received the light from the Lampstand and held the utensils, bread, and drink offerings for the priest. When you approached this Table of Showbread it was to enter into communion with God; the priest and God were in intimate fellowship (lower story). This FaceTime with God is available to us today because at Jesus’ death the veil of the temple, preventing entrance, was removed and access was opened to all.
When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
Every time we celebrate Holy Communion we enter into FaceTime with God. Jesus declared Himself to be our sustenance represented in the bread and our forgiveness represented in the cup. We’re privileged to meet with Him panim la panim, face to face, and share our innermost thoughts and intimacy with Him. This is the picture we have of the Table of Showbread: intimacy with Jesus.
Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. John 6:56
There is no deeper or more private relationship available than with God. He’s totally trustworthy and His love beckons us every day. His desire is to know us and for us to know Him: true intimacy.
Several Old Testament saints were privileged to see God in various forms, face to face. Jacob (Gen. 32:30), Moses (Ex. 33:11, Num. 14:14, Dt. 34:10), and Gideon (Jud. 6:22-24) but they were occasional and specific. With Christ in us, through the Holy Spirit, we encounter God continually. His Spirit indwells our hearts enabling and empowering us for kingdom living, victorious over our daily battles with Satan and his demons. FaceTime with God is essential for the higher life that Jesus died to give us.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
The Table of Showbread is set for you to enjoy God’s Presence but you must come, sit down, and give Him your total attention. He desires to see your face and get to know you. Remember, this relationship you’re developing will be enjoyed throughout all eternity; take it seriously.
They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads … and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:4, 5b
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