August 11, 2021
What is The Way? It is God’s G.P.S., the Gospel Plan of Salvation
Then the LORD called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
This sounds like hide-and-seek, but it was not a game. The LORD was asking the question, not because He didn’t know where Adam was, but to make Adam aware that he had become lost. A lost condition precedes the instinct to run away from God, so He sought after His beloved people. On the spot, He gave Adam and Eve the hope of the Savior to come and graciously clothed them with the skins of innocent animals, representing a righteous covering for their “nakedness”. In this first substitutionary sacrifice, we find Jesus!
After the sojourn of God’s people in Egypt, God gave them a pattern, a map, to bring them all the way back to Himself. It is God’s GPS: the Gospel Plan of Salvation and it is illustrated in the sanctuary. . . .
Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? Psalm 77:13
Jesus said….”I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
God’s detailed instructions for the building of the sanctuary were just so because, through it, He would demonstrate His plan for dealing with sin.
“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so shall you make it.” Exodus 25:8-9
Picture in your mind the sanctuary and the set of six furnishings. The entrance at the east end was the only way into the courtyard.
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24
Jesus said: “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” John 10:9a
The first article of furniture encountered was the altar of sacrifice.
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29b
The next article of furniture is the laver of washing, also known as the bronze Sea, representing baptism.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17b
Beyond the laver, we enter the tabernacle proper, a two-apartment interior, divided by a curtain. The first apartment is called the Holy Place. Immediately to the right (on the north side) is the table of showbread. This bread represents the Word of God. When we “eat” the Word, we learn of God’s righteous character and power. Only He can recreate our hearts and transform our lives.
Jesus said: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” John 6:51
He also said: “It is written: Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 (see also Deuteronomy 8:3)
Across the room, on the south side, was the seven-branch candlestick, representing God’s people who reflect the light of Jesus the same way that the moon reflects the light of the sun. We are privileged to reflect His light, and the Holy Spirit works beside us to draw others to that light.
Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
In the center, just before the curtain, we find the altar of incense. This represents prayers that rise into God’s presence, as incense drifts over that curtain… Jesus led a life of prayer, maintaining the close relationship with His Father. He set a perfect example for us.
Beyond the curtain is the Most Holy Place. The only article of furniture there was the ark of the covenant, and it represented the throne of God. Inside the ark were the “Tables of the Testimony,” the Ten Commandments, the foundation of God’s government and His will for us (see Jeremiah 31:33).
An outline around these six articles of furniture, forms the shape of a cross. And each one’s location corresponds to the wounds of Jesus. . . . more to come . . .