And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I might dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all its furnishings.
Exodus 25:8-9
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” As so many of you know the preceding word “dwelt” referencing Jesus literally means “tabernacled.” The tabernacle of the Old Testament was a wonderful picture or type of Jesus. The tabernacle served a specific purpose for a specific time. Just as Jesus served for the time of thirty-three years until voluntarily going to the cross prior to Him resurrection and then ascending to Heaven.
Interestingly the tabernacle was erected in the wilderness. Jesus dwelt in the wilderness. Consider His autobiographical words, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Its outward appearance was quite humble… with its animal skin covering it resembled the Bedouin tents of the day. Typical and so very common in His appearance, the betrayal by Judas required him to identify Jesus with a kiss.
The interior of the tabernacle was an entirely different story. Incredibly beautiful with the magnificence of abundant gold and silver. The tapestries were of deep beauty. Most notable was the presence of the Shekinah glory of God. Yes, Jesus outwardly resembled the average man of the day, but within Him there was a beauty unique to Him alone. The beauty of Him being so alluring that Matthew writes “the common people heard Him gladly.”
The tabernacle of God was not only His dwelling place, but also His meeting place— “And there I will meet with you…” Exodus 25:22. Jesus not only dwells among us, but He is the sole way we have oneness, fellowship and communion with God the Father.
Paul writes in I Tim.2:5 “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” And here is the great news… verse 6 says He “gave Himself a ransom for all.” Never forget that God in His great love for us never disqualifies anyone of us from coming to Him. I appreciate the academic look of the word “all.” One scholar of the Greek language said, “‘all’ means “all”, and that is all that “all” means.” You are on solid ground to insert your name in place of “all.” I like to apply it with my own name[Symbol]God gave Himself a ransom for… Jim. Wow, that is wonderful news!
Maranatha!