SCRIPTURE: Exodus 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. [Mark 15:37-38] Our family enjoys camping, we have owned several tent trailers. One thing for sure, canvas is fragile and fades with age. If God wanted to build a permanent temple, a fabric tent was not a practical choice.
But that’s just the point. God didn’t plan on a permanent temple. This was a flexible, transportable tent. It set up and came down relatively easily, as the fiery cloud (or angel of the Lord, or Christ) that led them required. One obvious reason is because they had not yet arrived at their destination, they were still in the wilderness. But another important reason is that God never intended for a permanent ‘temple’ on earth. The purpose of the tabernacle (and later the temple) was to symbolize God’s living in and with His people. After Jesus returns, there will be no more ‘temple’ because God Himself will dwell among His people [Revelation 21:22]. The problem a solid, permanent temple is that it shifts the focus away from the meaning of the symbol to the symbol itself. The people became more impressed by the structure, than the God it pointed to. On one occasion when the disciples commented on the building, Jesus replied that the temple would not last [Luke 21:5-6].
The curtain between the Holy Place (where the priests would go) and the Most Holy Place (where the ark was, and the high priest entered once a year) was also not a permanent fixture. It was a temporary sign of the temporary separation that resulted from sin. When Jesus died on the cross, He removed the barrier between God and us, and the flexible, fragile, temporary symbol of our separation was removed. By grace, we have become the tabernacles (or temples) of God. He lives in us, we live in Him. Our hearts are the most holy place, and He daily invites us to meet with Him there. We have moved from external symbol to internal reality.
Two thoughts. First, do we meet with God in this most holy place, or do we neglect the wonderful opportunity of unceasing fellowship with God? Second, are we still clinging to external symbols? Are we more devoted to buildings, programs, rituals? As tools they can be helpful, but they should never be permanent. Or one day Jesus will say of them, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down. [Luke 21:6]
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to keep my focus on You in my heart, and make me a fitting residence for You!