After spending several days not being able to resist talking about Luke (my favorite of the four Evangelists), I think I should turn my attention back to the principles our Lord is unfolding in Exodus.
Many people expend tremendous amounts of time and effort explaining all the symbolism of the tabernacle, the altar, the arrangement of the furnishings, the nature of the sacrifices, and showing how they all point to Christ. While this is not at all wasted effort, I would propose that there may be more to gain by fixing our eyes and our mind on this one overriding principle. God, in Scripture, has provided a means of salvation. It is a means which man would not have invented on his own. It works according to God's plan and his plan alone. And while it is not something we would have dreamed up, it uses very concrete elements. God had his people prepare a tabernacle where they could meet with Him. The people were not to meet their God on their own terms, but on his terms. And the meeting of God and man is always one of reverence, realization of the power and holiness of God, confession of the sinfulness of man, and expression of the fact that sin brings death.
Likewise, as we meet our Lord and Savior we meet him according to his own rules. We see that we are dead in trespasses and sins. We see that the cure for sin is death, and that our death isn't adequate. We see that it is only through the death and resurrection of Christ that sin is atoned for and that God will accept us as his people.
Lord, may we never despise your plan. May the desire of your heart, the salvation of your people through the blood of Christ, be that which we desire as well, in accordance with your mercy and grace. Amen.
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