One of the many pictures or types of JESUS from the old testament tabernacle is the doorway into the courtyard, the doorway into the holy place and the doorway into the Holiest of holies..
There are so many pictures of our Savior throughout the tabernacle that was in the wilderness, from the pillars, pins, sockets, cords, curtains, material for the curtains, the furniture and the implements used in the tabernacle. Even the arrangement of the furniture was such a beautiful picture of our Crucified Christ and Risen Lord!
Since time will not allow me to cover them all, I will only focus on the doorways. The doorway into the courtyard allowed all who would enter. Even a stranger to the house of Israel could freely walk into this area, to the brazen altar where the sacrifice was offered and the blood was shed. Oh! what a wonderful type of the cross where JESUS became the sacrifice for you and me! And still today HE calls out….
- [17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Once inside, and having partaken of the blood shed for the atonement of sins, there was yet another doorway, the doorway of the Holy Place.This door was a little more restrictive than the first; not just anyone can go through this door, but those who were priest unto GOD to perform the duties of the priesthood. The call is still going out to the many who were called unto salvation. Will that be where you stop in your relationship with the SAVIOR? There is such greater heights, and deeper depths that JESUS wants to take us to in HIM. Are you timidly holding back in the courtyard, afraid that the commitments that you may face as you walk on in HIM will be more than you can give? There are higher expectations that HE will ask of you as you walk into the priesthood of JESUS, for this is what he has called us to be. The will of God will never call you where his grace will not be sufficient for you!
- [6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
Through HIS work on Calvary, he HATH made, (past tense..already paid for…its your choice to accept) us kings and priests for HIS glory…he calls us yet further into that relationship of Oneness with HIM, that we be crucified with HIM, along with the promise of being glorified with HIM. Why should it take so much persuasion of people today to follow JESUS? What a promise we have been given!!!
- [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
- [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
In reaching this place, the laver of water was present, the place where the priest could wash themselves to prepare for their work in GOD’S temple. Such a beautiful picture of baptism. Then there to the right and to the left, was the table of shewbread, and the candlestick which both represents the WORD OF GOD…which is the bread man shall live by, and the light of the world, the WORD OF GOD…JESUS CHRIST…
Directly ahead just before the other doorway…was the altar of incense…signifying the prayer life of the believer…the sweet smelling savor of our prayers going up to God and to his throne.
The next doorway was even more constrictive. It was open for only the High Priest, who could go in only once a year, first for his own sins, then for the sins of all the people. Inside was the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. Are you filled with gratitude that JESUS took your place and mine? That he became the HIGH PRIEST that could be touched with the feelings of our infirmities? That with HIS new covenant HE made with you and I, we could now boldly approach the THRONE of Grace? and Mercy?
“Oh what a SAVIOUR! OH HALLELUJAH! HE shed HIS life’s blood, for even me…..”
We could go on and on, this and many other treasures within the scriptures can bring us much joy and satisfaction….but I want to stay with the point..
JESUS is the 3 doorways….all through the tabernacle I see HIS face, HIS love, HIS plan….
but the doors….could not be plainer… HE is the first doorway,,,(THE WAY)
HE is the second doorway…(THE TRUTH) and HE is the third doorway…(THE LIFE)
- [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
- [5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
- [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Whatever you attempt to do today and every day…follow after JESUS. HE will show you the WAY…HE will lead you into the TRUTH, and HE will give you LIFE.
Be Blessed in the WORD today….Seek the LORD while HE may be FOUND…
Pastor Stephen