31 January | Teens
«For the tabernacle he made boards of acacia wood, standing upright. » Exodus 36: 20
Have you ever imagined walking into a place full of furniture that tells stories about Jesus? In the sanctuary that God asked Moses to build, each piece of furniture had a special meaning, representing something about Jesus' ministry and how He cares for us.
First, there was the table with loaves. Guess who is called “the bread of life”? Jesus! Just as we need to eat bread for energy and life, we need Jesus for a full and eternal spiritual life. Then comes the golden lampstand with seven lamps always burning. Jesus said that He is the “light of the world.” Just as the lampstand illuminated the sanctuary, Jesus illuminates our lives and guides us away from the darkness of sin.
We also have the altar of incense, representing the prayers of the people going up to God. Jesus is our intercessor: He speaks to God on our behalf, bringing our prayers to Him. Interesting, right? What if I told you that all these furniture in the sanctuary was arranged in such a way that, if viewed from above, it would form a cross? Every detail in the sanctuary had a purpose, and teaches us something about Jesus' ministry. It is so perfect that it can only have been thought of by God!
Take Action
How about putting creativity into practice? Take colored pencils, markers, or whatever you prefer and draw pictures of the Sanctuary’s furniture. As you draw, think about what each part represents and how Jesus is present in our lives.