Central Focus!

In the midst of the nation of Israel while they wandered in the wilderness, was the Tabernacle. This structure was designed and set up as the center of worship and focus on God’s presence in the midst of the camp. Eventually the Temple was built by Solomon and stood in all its magnificence in the midst of Jerusalem, the place where God had placed HIS NAME. The Temple was built for HIS NAME ( 1 Kings 5:5), not the name of David or Solomon or anyone else. Though the structure built under Solomon’s direction had to be rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel at the time of Ezra, and then rebuilt again by the authority of Herod, the Temple in Jerusalem was noted for its exquisite beauty. It is no surprise the disciples of Jesus took note of the Temple buildings as they walked in Jerusalem. ( Matthew 24:1) How sad for their grand focus to be met with the prophetic words from the Lord’s own lips regarding the time when one stone would not be left on another. ( Matthew 24:2)

Man is often proud of the buildings and monuments he has erected and that pride is often coupled with GOD’S NAME and His Will becoming less and less the central focus of life. Following the flood of Noah’s day, some people gathered together to build a city and a tower. Note the central perspective associated with their actions.

We read…
“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and LET US MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’” ( Genesis 11:4 ESV)

Rather than focusing on God’s Will and His command to spread out over the earth, these people had a desire to make a name for themselves. They were viewing life as all about them, rather than being all about God and what He desired.

As Jesus walked away from the Temple that He accused some of making into a “den a robbers” instead of the “house of prayer” God had intended it to be ( Matthew 21:13), we can see that the Will and NAME OF GOD were no longer central to the focus of that place. It was time for it to come down so that the focus could be moved from it to Him! As Jesus died on the cross, the veil between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom ( Matthew 27:51) and in Him the way was opened for us to approach God in all His Magnificence.

The Hebrew writer encouraged…
“(19) Therefore, brothers, since we have CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE HOLY PLACES BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, (20) by the new and living way that HE OPENED FOR US THROUGH THE CURTAIN, that is, through HIS FLESH, (21) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, (22) let us DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” ( Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV)

A grass hut of true worshipers exalting the NAME OF GOD and genuinely seeking His Will is far more beautiful and glorious than the most ornate and costliest building where God and His Will are no longer reverently approached and honored above all. It wasn’t the Tabernacle or the Temple that was to be held central, but God Himself Who was to be glorified and praised. Is He truly remaining the central focus of our life?

Have a great day LETTING OUR LIFE BE ALL ABOUT THE GIVER OF IT!
Carl

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