Of First Importance: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

Christ, the New Tabernacle

READ

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Additional Reading: Colossians 1:19–20; 2:9; Hebrews 4:14–16

REFLECT

586 BC was a tragic year for the Israelites.

During King Zedekiah’s reign, the entire forces of Babylon marched out and destroyed Jerusalem. Judah’s soldiers escaped, the king was captured, and their kingdom was conquered. The Lord’s temple, the symbol of their faith and cultural identity, was utterly destroyed and plundered.

The Israelites did their best to restore the temple’s former glory throughout the decades that followed. While they had rebuilt the temple, an essential element was missing, making it lifeless and hollow: God never dwelt in it like He used to.

The truth is, God had another plan to dwell with His people, no longer in an imperfect tabernacle or temple.

Many years later, God set up this new and perfect dwelling place. The eternal God became flesh and dwelt among humans. That God dwelt means that He pitched His tent among mortal men, like how He had lived among the Israelites in the tabernacle. God came on earth and took up residence in Jesus Christ, like how He used to inhabit Solomon’s temple.

God made Jesus the new and perfect tabernacle: His dwelling place where sinful humans can have divine encounters with the living God.

Jesus’ coming confirmed God’s promises that He would send a Messiah to rescue His people. When He came, He proclaimed the gospel of God’s kingdom and drew people to Him. But Jesus didn’t just preach God’s kingdom; He embodied it and showed them what it feels like to be in God’s presence. Through Jesus, people experienced miracles: blind people regained sight; the lame stood up; the dead rose; thousands were fed; demons fled; and sinners found forgiveness and grace. The oppressed found a Savior, the canceled and rejected found acceptance, the weary found refuge, and the orphans found a home.

This experience isn’t just for those who lived during Jesus’ time. He is our Immanuel, God with us. Everyone who believes in Him is invited to come so we may find mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The weary are invited to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). The thirsty can be satisfied in Him (John 7:37). The lost can find purpose in Him (Matthew 4:19). Jesus came because God has desired to restore us to Himself from the beginning of time.

Through Jesus, the Father invites us to come, with our burdens and blessings, so we can experience a peace that transcends understanding and fullness of joy in His presence.