Today’s reading is Hebrews 8.
The priests on earth serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. That is, when we go back to Exodus and read of the construction of the tabernacle, we are reading of a facsimile of the heavenly realm. That is hard to get my mind around. How about yours?
The point being, I think, that the Most Holy Place, where the ark of the covenant, the throne of God, was placed was the center of Israel’s encampment. Everything for Israel emanated from and look toward that Most Holy Place. There was a virtually unapproachable center where God dwelt among His people. Then there was a veil and a Holy Place. There was a door and a courtyard. There was a place for sacrifice that allowed a few people to come closer to the holy places. Then around the tabernacle were the encampments of the priests and the Levites as if protecting God from encroachment by the people, and the people from judgment by God. Then beyond them were the encampments of the twelve tribes. God was at the center of all Israel.
In like manner, God is at the center of the all that is. Everything surrounds Him and emanates from Him. However, our high priest hasn’t simply entered the copy. Our high priest has walked into the middle of all things. He is in the middle of the heavenly tabernacle, dwelling of God. He is in the middle of the spiritual place where God dwells. Nothing Jesus did was a copy. It was all real.
When Aaron and his descendants offered sacrifices and gifts, then went into the Most Holy Place, they were serving a copy. God accepted it. God in His grace allowed it to count, if you will. But it wasn’t real. It wasn’t really His dwelling place, His throne room. They weren’t really sin-atoning gifts. They weren’t actually qualified priests. If there had not been a next phase of the plan, none of it would have worked. If we had gone directly from that tabernacle into judgment and eternity based on the work done in that copy and the service offered in that shadow, it would have all fallen like a house of cards.
But all that was pointing to heavenly realities. Jesus is our true heavenly priest. He is truly at the right hand of our heavenly God. He is in the actual heavenly throne room. Everything is centered around Him. What a great high priest we have. He is real. His sacrifice is real. His atonement is real. His service is real. His salvation is real. It really works.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 8.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- What do you remember or know about how the tabernacle was set up and how Israel encamped around it?
- How should we live if God is really at the center of all things?
- Why is it comforting to know all the serving Jesus does is real and true?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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