Hebrews 9:3a

Hebrews 9:3a

Inside the Tabernacle

The Holy Place was not the final part of this sacred tent, there was another curtain that confronted the priests who daily entered the Tabernacle. It hung as a taunt, for some of these men must have wondered what exactly lay beyond. But it was also a barrier, for no ordinary priest was allowed to pass through this curtain or to see what lay within. It was believed that God’s holy presence dwelt in this inner sanctuary, called the Most Holy Place. Only one man was allowed to pass through the innermost curtain, and he could only do only it but once per year, on the Day of Atonement. We will talk more about this in a few verses time. 

Throughout this chapter it will be helpful to have at least an illustration of the Tabernacle and its furniture so that the layout and the nature of the sacred objects can be better visualised. We will provide this next time. If you were a priest and therefore allowed to serve in the sanctuary, it must have been a very humbling experience, to draw so close to the presence of the Lord, to be embraced by the heavy layers of curtains that surrounded and protected this holy space must have been daunting at times, but also strangely quiet and cut off from normal life outside. All this detailed construction was replicated later, on a grander scale, in the Jerusalem Temple where the same daily rituals and ceremonies persisted, ad infinitum. 

One of the most thrilling and glorious events ever in world history took place in the Temple at the moment that Jesus Christ surrendered His life at His crucifixion. We read that the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom! In other words, the barrier between God and men was removed, all true priests of Yeshua could now enter God’s presence through Him. We are no longer foreigners and strangers who can only gaze on at the Tabernacle from afar, we have been called to come before the Father, Jesus has opened the curtain and what was just symbolic in ancient times is now a reality for all who serve at the heavenly Temple of the Lord. This is not to be taken lightly; this privileged position is beyond the imagination of the ancient priesthood. You and I, Jews and Gentiles, have been brought near by the blood of Christ and our access to the heavenly throne is guaranteed. Hallelujah! 

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