SCRIPTURE: Exodus 30
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be a house of prayer’ ; but you have made it `a den of robbers.’ [Luke 19:46] The tabernacle was to be a “meeting place” between God and His people, a ‘house of prayer’. It was a symbol of the individual heart in fellowship with God and others. Sadly, the human heart always finds ways to twist and distort those relationships.
The altar of incense, the special anointing oil and incense were symbols of our prayer relationship with God. The atonement money (‘census tax’) had the twofold purpose of reminding each person of their debt to God (rich or poor, they all paid the same), and of paying for the tabernacle service. The cleansing basis also symbolized their unworthiness to approach God, and His cleansing grace. As time progressed, the heart of prayer and grace was forgotten, and the tabernacle/temple came to be a money-making scheme. In Jesus day, the religious leaders charged high prices to convert currency and to purchase sacrifices. It was not about connecting to God and people, it was about using them for their own personal gain.
While the symbols of altars, hand-washing, anointing oil and incense are not a necessary part of our new covenant relationship with God, the thought behind them still stands: we may boldly approach God together through prayer, having our consciences cleansed through the blood of Jesus. We are forgiven, we are welcome, we are loved, we are family!
When ‘church’ (not the building but the whole institution) becomes more about building itself, funding itself, protecting itself, instead of connecting all people to God (i.e. prayer), then the human heart has once again missed the point. I believe this is a constant danger that all churches face, when the program replaces the purpose. It becomes more about altars, incense, tithing, ceremonies (offerings, liturgies, styles of worship, buildings, protecting the sanctuary, etc.) than about bringing people to God, helping people connect with Him.
Being in a church without a church building does not make us immune from this. We are as much in danger of clinging to our own traditions, structures, ways of doing things, worship styles, comfort zones, etc. The only real question that ought to drive us is, is this helping people connect to God through Jesus Christ?
PRAYER:
Lord, help us keep the main thing, the main thing!
Thank You LORD for sending Your Son to be our atonement, for removing the rituals from our own hands an placing in Your perfect and one true Son removing our sins once and for all! Thank You LORD for that means for our lives!
Thank You LORD for paying the ransom. Thank You LORD that no one is greater than another – You have humbled us all. We are all equal in Christ whether rich or poor, regardless of who we are.
LORD, we read of such preparation being done so that one could come before You pure enough to worship You. Thank You LORD that Jesus took care of all these rituals so that we could all come before You just as we are. However LORD I do ask that I never take You for granted, that I always take time and effort to prepare my heart for worship, before coming to You in prayer NOT because it’s a ritual or the thing to do BUT because You are worthy of such preparation and because I desire to give You my best!
LORD, help me to live a lifestyle of worship.
From generation to generation – do this and live. God is faithful. God has told us – Do this and live. Whar’s my response? And the message is for all people since there is no distinction between rich or poor since all are precious/equal in His sight. The Lord gives more rules about serving Him for the generations to come. He is their all in all and we must do this in order to live. The meeting place showed the people the presence of God. Where is He in my life today? ow do I worship Him? My daily living is a act of worship. How am I living for Jesus today in His daily presence?
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
And give Him praise, and give Him praise
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
Your voices raise, your voices raise
Give glory and honor and power unto Him
Jesus, the name above all names