THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 25-28
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
How can God ‘dwell’ in a man-made sanctuary, no matter how impressive?
This is meant to be a powerful symbol for this newborn nation of slaves.
The awesome Creator God, so beyond us in being and majesty, lives with you.
The details for the building are meant to impress awe in their hearts.
Healthy fear, healthy wonder, so that they don’t begin to view God as domesticated.
The seriousness with which the priests were to serve God also stressed this ‘holiness’.
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)
Through the Spirit, God and Jesus move into our hearts, they dwell in us in loving fellowship.
We are the temples of God, we are the priests of God… the great, awesome, holy God!
This is not intended to frighten us, to make us cower in fear and grovel in servitude.
But we should always remember what an awesome thing it is to live in fellowship with God.
God is not tame, God is not safe, but God is good, and loving, and wants us to love and enjoy Him.
Have we lost our awe and wonder at God, have we domesticated Jesus to ‘our buddy Jesus’?
God is over us, God is with us, God is in us – this is a holy, happy mystery!
Through Jesus He is in us to transform us, to restore us as His holy, happy children!
We must become willing, respectful partners in this process, eager to honor the One that lives in us!
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, that You and God should dwell in me is more awesome than I appreciate. Inspire me with holy love, that I may be a worthy temple for You!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
‘Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.’
The light of the world is Jesus. And in today’s reading we read of God’s presence among His people by His dwelling place and His priests serving Him. God among His people – dwelling with them. And the lamps burning continually is also a sign of His presence for His leading. Remember the pillar of fire leading the people out of Egypt. Awesome. Struck with awe. And also with the description of God in this earthly dwelling. Awesome.
And I need to stand in awe also today in His presence for He is still with His people as He has promised in His Word. His light still leads and guides and I will follow this awesome God. His light, His Word still continues to lead and guide His people in the Way they/I need to go.
1 All ye saints of light proclaim,
Jesus, the light of the world;
Life and mercy in His name,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Refrain:
We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,
Come where the dew-drops of mercy are bright;
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the light of the world.