The Tabernacle Pointed to Jesus

"They [the earthly priests] serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.  This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'"  Hebrews 8:5

Just as the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly one, there are many aspects of the tabernacle that foreshadowed Jesus' coming and His ministry on earth.  Let me suggest a few of these details that point us to Jesus.

There is only one door to the tabernacle, and it represents Jesus, who is "the Way" to God.  In John 10:19 we read Jesus' words,  "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

The acacia wood from which the panels and pieces of furniture were made was overlaid with gold.  There were two materials joined together in one board, just as humanity and deity were joined together in one Man, Jesus Christ.

The colors of the curtains pointed to Jesus.  The blue represented His heavenly origin, the red the blood He shed on the cross for us, and the purple His royalty as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a symbol of Jesus' body, which was torn to give us free access into the presence of God.

On the table were twelve loaves of bread, reminding us of Jesus' words that He is the Bread of life, both our Provider and our Provision.

The only source of light in the tabernacle was the candlestick.  Jesus is the Light of the World. The oil in the lamp stand  represents the Holy Spirit.   As the candlestick received all its light from oil rather than from nature, the church is to shed forth the light of revelation from God's word, not from man's reason.

The tabernacle was built to be easily moved.  It was quite portable because the Israelites were wanderers in the wilderness.  They had not yet arrived at their homeland.  We also are wanderers in this world, because heaven is our permanent home.  Just as the Israelites  moved whenever and wherever God led them, we should also follow His leading wherever He would have us go.

   

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to show us God in flesh and for dying for us so we can have a heavenly home with You and the Father and the Spirit forever.  Amen.