December 4, 2005
Scripture:
Can we turn to Ephesians 5; we have been reminded of that sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, hanging on that cross for us. Ephesians 5:2 “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” The first part of this verse says Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Wonderful for us to say that the Lord came down for us and died for us! The last part is about the sacrifice, a sweetsmelling savour to God. How must God have felt to see His Son suffering? Twice over He could open heaven and say he was well-pleased with Him. The obedience of His life was perfected in His death. We can see how he was obedient to his Father, even as a sacrifice for us.
EG Hymn 366–We are little children, very young indeed Prayer John 14:21–23 • These verse show us that if we
Hebrews 9:1–10 • We read about the tabernacle here; some of the pieces of furniture are mentioned as well. But they are not mentioned to speak of particularly. The details were for the Old Testament when they were just setting up the tabernacle. These things are a description of “the camp.” They can be a picture of Christendom, which today has copied “the camp.” That was for the Old Testament saints; it was for before the new covenant was established. How did all these “camp” things get under the umbrella of Christianity anyway? In Church History, Andrew Miller explains the progression of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. It was about the time of Pergamos that the church and the state combined and Roman Catholicism was born. Catholics make up 1.1 billion of Christendom today and their religion is made up mostly of “camp” material copied from Judaism. Yet here we learn that this is all just a shadow. They had a worldly sanctuary (not carnal, but of this world). In contrast, ours is a heavenly sanctuary. Still, their service was divine, but most of Israel did not take part in it. The priestly family was allowed in the Holy place. The high priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year. V. 2 gives us the furniture of the Holy place, but the altar of incense is missing. Why? The altar of incense speaks of praise. Today, that is done in the presence of God. On the great Day of Atonement, the first thing the high priest brought into the Holy of Holies was a censer of incense from off the altar. Worship is in the presence of God. In the gospel, it says the Lord came to seek and to save that which was lost. We use that in presenting the gospel. But the Father was also seeking something that was lost: worship. John 4:23 tells us that the Father seeks true worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Back to the tabernacle, each of these pieces of furniture represents the Lord. He is the candlestick, the Light of the world. He is the showbread, the Bread of Life. All this comes in the first compartment of the tabernacle, the portion of all the priests. We as priests need to walk in the light as he is in the light; and we need the Bread of Life, not only for salvation, but to keep us day by day. The candlestick’s light is reflected off the boards overlaid with gold, a picture of us. So should we reflect Christ’s light. One writer said that the oil in the lamp was like the Holy Spirit, and for Him to shine, there was need of a wick. We are that wick. • The Holy of Holies was the immediate presence of God among His people. He wanted the Israelites to leave Egypt and build a tabernacle so that He could dwell with them. His reason was not so they could worship Him. Hymn 239–Midst the darkness, storm, and sorrow, Prayer