Exploring how the earthly tabernacle and its rituals were shadows pointing to the heavenly reality fulfilled in Jesus’ perfect sacrifice as we look at Hebrews 9:1-5
Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-5 (ESV)
“Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.”
In this chapter, the author is sketching a picture of the Tabernacle. It was an earthly representation of what is happening in heaven. God’s presence would be in the innermost chamber, the Most Holy Place. There would be the ark of the covenant, covered in gold, there was Aaron’s staff, and the tablets that had the commandments written on them. The angels looked onto the mercy seat, which is where God’s presence was. But the Tabernacle never quite did what it was alluded to.
You see all throughout the Old Testament there was a single question that propelled the narrative of Scripture forward. The question was this: How would God be with his people, if God’s people were stained by sin and sinful things cannot be in God’s presence without being consumed? The Tabernacle is a step in the right direction. The Tabernacle was put in the centre of the Israelite encampment. God was in the midst of his people. But the problem was that no one could enter into God’s presence. Only the High priest could, and only once a year, and only after he himself had has his sins ritualistically washed clean. God was with his people, but his people could not be with him.
But Jesus answered this question. When he dies on the cross, the curtain which separated God’s presence from the people was torn in two, from top to bottom. God himself tore it up to show that we now have access to this Most Holy Place. For thousands of years the best anyone could do was to humbly and sheepishly bring a sacrifice to worship at the Tabernacle or the Temple. But now, we can enter boldly into the Most Holy Place to spend time with our Heavenly Father.
He now is our God and we are now His people with no barrier between us.
Incredible.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus thank you for your perfect sacrifice on the cross. Thank you that it took our sin away, so that we approach the Father not with fear, but with confidence. Thank you that you came and tabernacled among us, so we don’t have to tabernacle before you. It is a great gift to be your children. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today consider who needs to hear about how Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and brought the Tabernacle system to an end. Share this with them.