Devotional Blog Monday, July 18

Daily Devotional for Monday, July 18

Christ’s Death Opens the Way

Approaching the Old Testament Tabernacle, the first thing that was encountered was the outer hangings. These hangings separated the people from the Tabernacle. But there was a gate, but you could only enter with a sacrifice. If you had entered through the gate into the courtyard, you would have been astonished by the largest of the Tabernacle furnishings, the altar of burnt-offering. This is the place of sacrifice, but thankfully it was not you but your animal substitute that would be sacrificed.

It is here that the visit ended. The rest of the Tabernacle services were reserved for the priesthood. At the bronze laver, priests washed to enter the Holy Place. Within the Holy Place was the golden lampstand, the table of shewbread and the altar of incense. Only certain priests were allowed to tend to these furnishings and carry out various rituals in the worship of God.

Beyond the Holy Place was the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The ark of the covenant and the mercy seat of God, representing the very presence of God, was in the Holy of Holies. Only once a year on the Day of Atonement could the high priest enter, not without blood, to make a sacrifice for all of Israel (Leviticus 16). The Tabernacle had very restricted entry regulations!

But that was the Old Testament Covenant, and I am thankful to tell you that we live under the New Testament Covenant. When Christ established the New Testament Covenant with His own blood, His death rent the veil opening up access for all into the very presence of God (Hebrews 10:19, 20).