Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series: The Presence of God and The Tabernacle

Last week we looked at the significance of blood and sacrifice. As we delve further into the Jesus series, consider this account of Jesus' death in the Gospel of Mark:

“33 When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' 35 When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, 'Listen, he is calling on Elijah.' 36 Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink saying, 'Wait! And see if Elijah will come to take him down.' 37 But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, 'In truth this man was Son of God.'” Mark 15:33-39 (NJB)

What is the significance of the veil of the Sanctuary being torn in two? Why does Jesus ask the Father why has He forsaken him? We will look at the Tabernacle and the Day of Atonement over the next few weeks to answer these questions. After the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb), the LORD said to Moses, “8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you,” Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV).

The Tabernacle had an outer court and an inner court. In the outer court were the Bronze Altar where sacrifices were offered, and the Bronze Laver, which was a basin for washing. The inner court was divided into two sections; The Holy Place was sectioned off from The Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) by a veil/curtain. In The Holy Place were the Altar of Incense, the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) contained the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence remained. “ 2 and the Lord said to Moses: 'Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat,'” Leviticus 16:2 (NKJV). The High Priest could only enter past the veil into the Presence of God in the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement.

Join us next week as we explore the significance of the Tabernacle and the Day of Atonement, and how it relates to the crucifixion of JESUS.