Readings for the day: Exodus 25, 26, 27, 28
The ancient Celts believed there were actual physical locations here on earth where the veil between this world and the next grew very thin. In these “thin spaces”, one would often encounter God or angels or have some kind of visitation from the spirit world. “Heaven and earth are only three feet apart but in the thin spaces that distance gets even shorter.” So the old Celtic saying goes. It’s the first thing that came to mind when I read Exodus 24:9-11 yesterday. “Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.” Can you imagine? Sitting down on the top of Mt. Sinai and dining with God? Entering a “thin space” between this world and the next where the ground beneath your feet changes shape and you catch a glimpse of the glory of heaven? It’s amazing.
Today we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. It’s easy to get lost in all the talk of cubits and curtain loops. It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when we’re reading about the construction of lamp stands and the ark of the covenant. But if we take a step back and survey the scene, what we realize is that God is literally giving Israel a portable “thin space!” Wherever they go, He will be with them! Wherever they find themselves, God will be there. They will have the opportunity to meet with Him. Hear His voice. Worship at His feet. “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst...There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” (Ex. 25:8, 22)
One of the great things I love about Christianity is that it’s not bound to any particular time or place. Our God is no simple tribal god. He rules the universe. He reigns over all He has made. The earth is His and the fullness thereof. We don’t have to “go anywhere” to meet with God because He makes sure to “tabernacle” with us. This is what the Apostle John means when he writes, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) The Greek word for “dwelt” means “tabernacled” which means Jesus Himself is now the tabernacle of God! Jesus Himself is the “thin space” between this world and the next! Jesus is Immanuel - God with us - no matter where we go or where we find ourselves.