In this series, we’re taking the time to particularly examine how the holy Creator-God deals with a sinful humanity in order to see why Christ had to die. We started with an illustration of a massive canvas painting that depicts the unfolding of history. It began in a garden, spiraled out of control through sinful rebellion, included a promise to a particular family, and now is reaching a peculiar scene. God is about to dwell among men. The Law was given with the purposes of ordering mankind (because of transgressions), teaching humanity of their great need, and to provide a temporary means whereby a sinful humanity could have an ongoing relationship with the holy God. The canvas painting is full of color in only some parts where mankind obeys the voice of God, and black and white in many others where they follow their own inclinations contrary to God.
And now, the moment in history where God’s glory comes down to dwell with humanity. It is a moment of great significance, because of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. But it is here where God will make a way for this sinful humanity where there was otherwise no way. God will through the next several books of the Bible detail how this sinful humanity can come into His presence without fear of decimation and annihilation. The Bible will detail the Law, but in the meantime, God’s presence has come down…
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Exodus 40:34
How does this apply to us today?
As Jesus was speaking some of His last words of comfort to His disciples, one particular facet He honed in on was to say that, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 He went on to explain also, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7
In other words, Jesus’ life was a temporary life with the mission of redemption and reconciliation. The fulfillment of His mission to finally and eternally redeem and reconcile a rebellious humanity meant that the Spirit of God would now come to indwell His followers. So that, they become the temple of God in order to carry out God’s mission of redemption and reconciliation…
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Glory. The glory of God has come down! Therefore, walk in the newness of life…putting off the old man and putting on the new man. Glory…walk on…press in…keep climbing…lean in…we’ll be home soon enough. Confess sin, trust God, and reconcile the people in your sphere of influence to God. Amen & Amen.
— June 2, 2017