Jesus: The Greater Tabernacle

The Tabernacle

Hebrews 9:1–5 NIV

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

As the Lord called His people out of Egypt, He directed them to fulfill the purpose that He had set before them, to come and worship the Lord. Through Moses, the Lord put into place how he was to be worshipped.

Description of the tabernacle. Outer room - lampstand and the table of showbread.

The inner room - in front of the door, the altar of incense and inside, the holy of holies, God’s throne with the staff of Aaron, the jar of manna and the ten commandments.

While the presence of the Lord was all around the people, the tabernacle was designed to be the center of worship. It was a physical representation of the separation between God and his people because of his holiness and authority.

The Separation of the Tabernacle

Hebrews 9:6–10 NIV

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 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. 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. 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. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

Hebrews 9:6-

The tabernacle was to be the physical representation of God’s holiness amongst the people. Remember, the Israelites are surrounded by physical reminders of God’s presence, the pillar of fire, the pillar of cloud, manna each morning and quail each evening. God had made himself very visible to them, but the tabernacle was designed to be set apart from these other representations. Through the tabernacle, mankind would see the separation between God and them, their sin. They would also see the cost of their sin and the great sacrifice required to be made whole in God’s presence.

The tabernacle was to be the physical representation of God’s holiness amongst the people. Remember, the Israelites are surrounded by physical reminders of God’s presence, the pillar of fire, the pillar of cloud, manna each morning and quail each evening. God had made himself very visible to them, but the tabernacle was designed to be set apart from these other representations. Through the tabernacle, mankind would see the separation between God and them, their sin. They would also see the cost of their sin and the great sacrifice required to be made whole in God’s presence.

The tabernacle and the temple to follow were physical representations of the impact or consequence of our sin. We are eternally separated from God and there is nothing that we could do to change that. We would always experience God though the veil. Something had to give in order for our position to change.

The acts of worship and cleansing were nothing more than symbolic acts because they were done in our strength and good. The very existence of the tabernacle preached this truth to the hearts of the people.

The Uniting of Christ

Hebrews 9:11–14 NIV

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, 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. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Christ though in contrast served as our greater high priest and entered into the very throne room of God in heaven under the power and authority of his own blood. He offered up his life, his holiness, his goodness on our behalf that we could stand before the Lord sanctified. Now we are seen by God without blemish. We have entered into his authority and are now called heirs.