Jesus is THE TABERNACLE
When I first learned about THE TABERNACLE in the Old Testament I was SHOCKED at all of the references to Jesus Christ. I knew that the Old Testament pointed toward Jesus, however, studying THE TABERNACLE
was one of the most amazing studies I had ever done in the Bible. I will be teaching this study once again this week and I wanted to share it with you.
Jesus Is The Tabernacle ~ John 1:14. “And the Word became flesh and DWELT among us, and we behold His glory.”
The word “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled” or “pitched His tent.”
Jesus became God’s dwelling place among His people. Imagine living in Israel after the Exodus. Every morning when you stepped outside your
tent, your eyes would immediately be drawn to the Tabernacle in the center of the camp. It reminded you that God lived among His people.
The Tabernacle was not just another tent. It represented:
- God’s presence
- God’s holiness
- God’s mercy
- God’s desire to dwell with His people
John 1:14 tells….”The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”
Jesus became what the Tabernacle had always pointed toward. The Tabernacle wasn’t the destination. Jesus was.
The Tabernacle Was God’s Dwelling Place ~ Exodus 25:8 “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” God has always desired
fellowship with His people.
The Garden of Eden…
The Tabernacle…
The Temple…
Jesus…
The Holy Spirit…
The story of Scripture is the story of God coming near.
Jesus is Emmanuel— God with us. When people looked at Jesus, they were seeing the very presence of God.
Jesus Reveals the Glory of God
John continues: (in verse 14). “We beheld His glory…”. The glory of God filled the Tabernacle. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34.
Now John says…”We saw that same glory in Jesus.”
Not merely shining light… But God’s character. His love. His mercy. His holiness.
Every miracle…
Every healing…
Every act of forgiveness…
Every word of truth…
Revealed God’s glory.
Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Jesus Became the Way Into God’s Presence
The Tabernacle had only one entrance.
John 14:6 “I am the way…” There was one gate into the Tabernacle. One sacrifice. One high priest. All of it pointed toward Christ.
The curtain separated sinful people from God’s holy presence.
But when Jesus died…. The curtain tore from TOP TO BOTTOM…. Now every believer has direct access to God.
Hebrews 10:19-22
We no longer approach God through a tent. We come through Jesus Himself.
Every Piece of the Tabernacle Points to Jesus.
The furniture tells His story.
Tabernacle – Jesus
Bronze Altar – The perfect
sacrifice
Bronze Laver – Our cleansing
Table of Bread – Bread of Life
Lampstand – Light of the World
Altar of Incense – Our Intercessor
Ark of the Covenant – God’s Presence
Mercy Seat – Our Atonement
The entire Tabernacle whispers one name— Jesus.
Nothing inside the Tabernacle exists without ultimately pointing to Him.
Because of Jesus, We Become God’s Dwelling Place.
The most amazing truth is this: God no longer lives inside a tent. Nor merely inside a building. He lives within His people.
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
The Tabernacle was temporary. Jesus fulfilled it. Now God’s Spirit lives within every believer. We carry His presence everywhere we go.
Then Jesus came and walked dusty roads, ate with sinners, touched lepers, wept with friends, and welcomed children. He didn’t wait for people to come to Him; He came to
them.
Today, through the Holy Spirit, He still chooses to dwell with His people. We don’t have to travel to a sacred place to find God.
Because of Jesus, His presence is available wherever we are.
When you feel alone, remember this beautiful truth: the God who dwelt in the Tabernacle now dwells with and within those who belong to Christ.
Jesus is the true Tabernacle—God dwelling among us. He is the place where heaven meets earth, where mercy triumphs over judgment, and where sinners are welcomed into
the presence of a holy God.
As you walk through this week, remember that because Christ has made His home in you, you have the privilege of carrying His presence into your home, your workplace, your church, and every conversation. May others catch a glimpse of the God who still delights to dwell with His people.
-Cindy
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