Podcast Introduction In our reading today we’ll complete the book of  Exodus by reading chapters 37-40.  I’m calling today’s episode “Jesus In the Tabernacle.” Comments on the Tabernacle As we close the book of Exodus, I think it’s important to talk about the significance of the Tabernacle. Given the fact that God gave Moses such intricate detail about how it was to be constructed, we can see how important the Tabernacle was to God and therefore, His people. Why was it so important? It represented the very presence of God. His presence was there in a tangible way. And this was where the Ark of the Covenant was. This was where sacrifices were made for the sins of the people. This is where the priests did their ministries. The Tabernacle was the center of the spiritual life for the children of Israel. It is where they could draw near to God, and at the same time be reminded that He is Holy. But more than that, the Tabernacle was a picture of the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.  How so? First, the name itself points to Jesus. Tabernacle means dwelling place. And when Jesus came to earth, He truly was Immanuel, which means God with us, or God dwelling with us. There were eight main parts of the Tabernacle. First was the enclosure around the Tabernacle, which was made of linen curtains. This illustrated the separation between God and man, caused by sin. This separation shows our need for Jesus the Messiah. The second part of the Tabernacle was the door. There was only one entrance, one door to the Tabernacle. The fact that there was a door showed that God wants us to come near to Him. And in John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door.” Inside the outer court, the first thing you saw was the bronze altar for burnt offerings. The priests would offer sacrifices for the atonement of sin, or for giving thanks, worship or praise. Animals used in the sacrifices were bulls, goats or lambs. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the once and final sacrifice. The next object in the outer court of the Tabernacle was the bronze basin, which the priests used each day for cleaning themselves before meeting with God. The sacrifice Jesus made for us cleanses us from all unrighteousness. At the back of the outer court was an enclosed tent, called the Holy Place, where only a priest could enter. Inside the Holy Place was a curtain which divided it into a front half and a back half. The back was the Holy of Holies, or Most Holy Place, or Inner Sanctuary.  Inside of the Holy Place were three more objects that pointed to Jesus. There was the table, with the showbread, or the Bread of the Presence. There were twelve loaves of bread, which were an offering to God. The bread represented God’s presence with mankind, His provision for us, and that He is our source of life. Jesus said in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life…” Also in the Holy Place was the golden lampstand, which provided light in the space, and represented the light of God’s presence. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Another object in the Holy Place was the altar of incense. Sacred incense was burned there all day and all night, and it represented the prayers of the people rising up as a sweet fragrance to God. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God…” And behind th