Day 18

Tuesday, March 9
Exodus 28-29

These two chapters discuss priestly garments, Aaron’s consecration, the tent of meeting, one-time and ongoing rituals involving sacrifices. Before I lose you, remember that Israelites did not have a set priesthood yet and God was establishing them as being “set apart” from the rest of the world.

We are talking about a lineage of people who were slaves previously; traumatized, weary, and who were learning how to live harmoniously with each other and God. God was giving instructions on how to prosper as a community and how to identify what was holy in a simple and visceral way. They were in the midst of establishing a sacred space and learning how to revere what it looked like to be in the presence of God. During these times, Egyptian pagan gods were fickle, angry, distant, and had pretty primitive ways of being appeased. Our God was different. This was a God you could actually draw near to. God dwelled in this place!

Jump ahead to Hebrews 9 in the New Testament, where a vast time span separates the two books, and we read about this sacred tabernacle. Jesus changes everything!
“7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.”

My gracious, how we take for granted the sacred spaces we create in church buildings, our homes, (or even our vehicles!) when we meet with God. Let’s contemplate this today and give thanks for our lamb and Most Hight Priest who welcomes us freely.

Reflection by Dallis Meyer