Episode Transcript
God instructs Israel on how to build the tabernacle, a giant tent in which to place the ark, table of presence, and menorah meant for Israel’s worship. Much of His instructions are practical for the layout He wants, and I think we learn much from the layout of the tabernacle—which shows us the kind of worship He is interested in.
If we can imagine entering the tabernacle, the first piece we would see is the menorah—symbolizing how God completes His people by illuminating their lives. It is by God’s teaching that people are completed. Once we move past the menorah, we see the table of presence on the other side of the room in front of a veil. God, who illuminates His people, is also with His people. On the other side of the veil, which cannot be seen by everyone, is the ark of the covenant upon which sits the mercy seat. The ark represents a holy God, unapproachable by people. The mercy seat represents the mercy God has on people who cannot be holy by their own works.
Notice that nothing about the worship atmosphere God has signifies anything about us coming to God, yet that’s often the way we try to parse worship out. Such self-glorifying forms of worship are ultimately dissatisfying. Instead, we see that God is holy. Yet, He communes with His people. He is the one who comes to us. Not only does He come to people, having His presence abide with His people, but He also provides the illumination we need to approach Him, eat of the bread, and drink of the cup with Him. Worship has never been about what we have to give to God. It has always been about surrender to the God who wants to come to us.
About 1,400 years later, Jesus is born. At the end of His earthly ministry, He is crucified to atone for the sins of the world and the veil in the Temple is torn in half (Matthew 27:51), thus removing the separation between people and God altogether. God now pulls His mercy seat up to the communion table to personally eat and drink with His people in celebration of what Christ has done. Every time we observe communion or the Eucharist, we know that God has had mercy on us in Christ. The observance is a celebration not practiced often enough. When it is practiced, it is practiced with stale crackers and rotten grape juice. But, this is to be a celebration. God has unveiled His mercy seat. He has unveiled Himself. He dwells with His people. He eats with us. He drinks with us. He is present at the table. Hallelujah.
