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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You said, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them” (Exod 25:8). What a marvelous thought! You, the holy, eternal God of the universe, wanted to dwell with the people you created. I welcome and honor you as the Lord of my life, and I want my heart to be your home. I join with David and sing, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Ps 34:3). Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about your instructions for building the Tabernacle. For 485 years, the Tabernacle served as a place where you could live among your people and where your people could commune with you. This demonstrates how much you want to have a relationship with me. Although the Tabernacle enabled you to live among the Israelites, it also restricted direct, physical access to your presence. This taught the people that you are holy. Fellowship and communion with you could only take place through an intermediary. In the first covenant, the Levitical priests were the designated intermediaries between you and the people, but they were only a temporary surrogate for the true Mediator, Jesus Christ. Christ offered up His own body as a sacrifice for sin, and I have redemption through His blood. I have been united spiritually with Him through the power of His resurrection, and I have direct access to the Most Holy Place, your throne room in heaven! Every aspect of the Tabernacle—from the bronze altar, where sacrifices were offered for sin, to the mediating high priest, who offered the sacrificial blood on the mercy seat—pointed to this redemptive plan. It symbolized the ministry of your Son, Jesus, who left the glory of heaven and “tabernacled” among His people (John 1:14). Christ is my High Priest, and His blood has redeemed me from the slavery of sin! Reflection The first thing the Israelites saw as they entered the Tabernacle courtyard was the bronze altar. Its presence was a vivid reminder that access to your presence is secured only by means of a sacrifice. Request Father, grant me a renewed sense of appreciation for the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Help me to live today in light of His loving and merciful provision of grace. Thanksgiving Thank you for the gift of the Tabernacle! It helps me perceive and understand so many aspects of Jesus’ redemptive ministry. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “The Holy of Holies” by Daniel S. Warner. Meditation Verse: Exodus 25:8.