ONE RED PILOT

I’ve been studying the Tabernacle of Moses lately and I love it. I’m amazed at how everything God did in the Old Testament points to His redemptive plan in Jesus. In studying the Tabernacle and discussing it with my friend Aaron Keyes, who is a fellow Worship Leader in Georgia, I’ve received a paradigm-shifting wake-up call that I’ve taken personally, but I also believe it’s meant for the Church as well.

The light bulb is this:
“We spend too much time at the altar of Christ”.

While studying the Tabernacle, I’ve come to a greater understanding of the purpose that is the Tabernacle. It is so we may have a deeper understanding of all that Jesus is to us. When you look at the progression of the Tabernacle the first thing upon entering was the Brazen Altar. This was where animal sacrifices were made. Next was the Laver. This is where the High Priest would cleanse his hands and feet before entering the first room in the Tabernacle tent. This room was called the Holy Place. This was were the High Priest would commune with God and intercede on behalf of the people. The other room in the tent and final destination of the Tabernacle was called the Holy of Holies. This was where the Arc of the Covenant stayed and most importantly, was where the presence of God dwelt…hello! Now that you know all of the pieces the Tabernacle can you see how it was a progression from the altar to the power and presence of God?

Fast forward 1,500 years to the Cross. Jesus’ death served as the ultimate sacrifice that paid for our debts. He now serves as our high priest who so that through Him we can come boldly into God’s presence. Brilliant!

Therefore, the altar of the Tabernacle symbolizes the cross of Christ. So when I say “we spend too much time at the altar of Christ,” I’m saying that the Church as a whole needs to move past the Cross and press into the presence of God! When I look at the majority of Sunday morning services in the modern church they never leave the focus of the Cross. Look at the songs we sing and the messages we teach. Everything is Cross centered. Before you crucify me for blasphemy, let me say this: the Cross is an awesome place to be! Where would we be without it? Think about this though…”The Cross should be our starting point not the end destination.” Let it be the foundation on which we do everything! Let’s apply this concept to our lives.

I’m a Worship Leader so along with putting this concept to my everyday Christian walk, I’ve been trying to apply this in my leading. Just like the Tabernacle, worship needs to be a progression. We don’t want to start worshiping God in one place and stay there. Psalm 24: 3-5 asks, “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?” It goes on to answer, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” It doesn’t ask, “Who can stand at the bottom of the hill”, it asks, “Who may ASCEND?” It’s an action. We start at the beginning, which is the altar, the Cross. We repent, offer up the sacrifice of our lives, receive the cleansing of our hands and the purifying of our hearts, and then we move forward from there into His Holy Place. We commune with the Lord and intercede and then, thanks to the Lamb of God who tore the veil, we boldly approach our Mighty God and rest in the POWER and PRESENCE of He who is the great I AM! Hallelujah!

To all of you followers of Christ:
Let the Cross be your starting point. Let it be the foundation of everything you do. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

To all you Worship Leaders:
Before we lead our congregations up the Hill of the Lord, we need to first climb it ourselves. We need to make the ascent so that we can lead our congregations into the Presence of God. So get on your face before God in a place where it’s just you and Him. Remember Psalm 33:4, “For the Word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” He’ll show you the path up the hill.

Favor to You,
Nate