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
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
Posted in Lent Devotional
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
February
Our Work // M-Note 1.29.2021Unlikely Friends and Partnerships // M-Note 2.5.2021We Need Lent Now More Than Ever // M-Note 2.12.2021Lent Devotional // Ash WednesdayDay 2Return to In-Person Worship // M-Note 2.19.2021Day 3Day 4The First Sunday in LentDay 5Day 6Generosity - Jane DavisDay 7Day 8Day 9Day 10The Second Sunday in Lent
March
Day 11Day 12Day 13Day 14Easter Announcement // M-Note 2.27.2021Day 15Day 16The Third Sunday in LentDay 17Day 18Day 19Day 20Day 21Hope Is A Good Thing // M-Note 3.12.2021Day 22The Fourth Sunday in LentDay 23Day 24Day 25Day 26Something New // M-Note 3.19.2021Day 27Day 28The Fifth Sunday of LentDay 29Day 30Day 31Day 32Approaching Holy Week // M-Note 3.26.2021Day 33Day 34The Last Sunday in LentDay 35Day 36Day 37
2020
August
October
November
December
Advent Devotional - Day 3Advent Devotional - Day 4Advent Devotional - Day 5Advent Devotional - Day 6Advent Devotional - Day 7Advent Devotional - Day 8Advent Devotional - Day 9Advent Devotional - Day 10Advent Devotional - Day 11Advent Devotional - Day 12Advent Devotional - Day 13Advent Devotional - Day 14Advent Devotional - Day 15Advent Devotional - Day 16Advent Devotional - Day 17Advent Devotional - Day 18Advent Devotional - Day 19Advent Devotional - Day 20Christmas Eve is Just Around the Corner! // M-Note 12.18.2020Supporting Mozambique This Christmas // M.Note 12.11.2020The Legacy of Jack Harbison // M-Note 12.4.2020Advent Devotional - Day 21Advent Devotional - Day 22Advent Devotional - Day 23Advent Devotional - Day 24Advent Devotional - Day 25It's Christmas Eve! // M-Note 12.24.2020
No Comments