Exodus 27
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Exodus 27:1-8, “Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain."
In this chapter, we see the instructions for building the altar. This will be the altar on which the priests will make sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. During Old Covenant times, God continually teaches his people about what it takes to receive salvation from sin. Something that God considers acceptable/appropriate must die in my place so that I may live.
Of course, for us as Christ-followers, Jesus was that sacrifice. Jesus Christ, God himself, totally without sin or blame, died on a cross for me, for you, and for all humanity. He was the final sacrifice to atone for sin. So now, if we are believers, when God looks down on us, he doesn't see our sin and our mess; he sees the atoning blood of Jesus. That means that nothing separates us from a life-giving relationship with a holy God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can walk hand in hand with God and friends, that makes all the difference.
Let's pray...Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice. Thank you for making it possible for me to be in right relationship with God. I am so, so grateful that I can walk every single day with you by my side. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.