Reflection: Bread tableaus

In yesterday’s reverent and hungry frame of mind, come peek into the Old Testament Temple where, on show, are 12 loaves of literally show-bread or face-bread. More than a museum piece, this tableau is part of corporate worship. It’s driving home a message that can’t go away: God sustains his people. All of them, all 12 tribes. God tangibly shows up in bread. Next Sabbath the bread will be exchanged for another 12 fresh loaves and the priests, only the priests, will consume these spicy, perfume-infused loaves. A meal, to be eaten right here in God’s company.

Well, hey!  Isn’t this ringing all kinds of New Testament bells?

Jesus shows up, the Bread of Life.

He feeds the hungry…but he drives home the message that has no expiry date:

God will forever sustain his people with the Living Bread.

But first, this bread is broken.

Eat this perfume-infused Living Bread. All of you.

Everyone is welcome.

Eat and remember me, says he.

Prayer:

Long-ago priests temple-tasted your sustenance, holy God, underprivileged to our banquet in Christ Jesus. Thank you, oh, thank you for making us alive in Christ, priests-all, and temples of your Holy Spirit. Keep us attentive to you and gratefully feasting on you forever.

[I like to repeat or sing a French grace**—to the tune of Fairest Lord Jesus]

Toi, qui dispose
De toutes choses
Et nous les donne chaque jour,

Recois, O pere,
Notre priere

De reconnaissance

Et d’amour

An English translation:

You who are sovereign over all things and give them to us each day,

Receive, O Father! Our prayer of gratitude and love.        (author unknown)

*Manna, on the other hand, is behind closed curtains in a closed box. It too, is a treasured testament to God’s daily miraculous maintenance of his gypsy people (a 40-year health kick of Honey Crunch Bites). But under holy wraps, it, like the Living Bread, miraculously needs no refreshing.

**Passed on in high school by my teacher who used to participate in summer beach missions in France. My French has since dimmed, but not this first-of-three-verses grace.