Go to the desert wilderness with me. Listen to the wind-blown sand sifting across the desert. See the thousands of stars in the black night sky. Feel the scorching heat of the sun at noon. See the thousands of tents organized by tribe according to the four cardinal directions.

Now look at the center of the encampment of Israel. There was the tabernacle. By day a pillar of cloud was poised above it. By night the pillar became fire and lit the tabernacle site. Watch during daylight hours and another sight would meet our gaze: priests. All day priests could be seen running back and forth carrying sacrifices, making sacrifices fulfilling the requirements of God's law for their sins and those of the people. We would see all the blood.

Hebrews chapter 8:5 states that all this activity millennia ago in the desert camp of Israel "is a shadow of what is in heaven." We know a shadow is a dark area produced by an actual object-real things make shadows. We should look at the Tabernacle in the desert often. Doing so makes Reality stronger. We would see Jesus.

We will be wise to consider the almost frantic action of the priests to atone (pay the price) for their sins and the sins of the thousands of Israelites living in the tents around the Tabernacle. Consider the shedding of the blood of animals. Consider the ceremonies for washing to signify the cleansing from sin. And the Holy of Holies could be entered only once a year!

All of this is a shadow of the REALITY which is in Heaven. Jesus is the High Priest of a NEW covenant.

From the book of Hebrews: Hebrews 8:1-6

Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant

8 “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

He is God's perfect Reality.

Friend, there is no need for us to run around making sacrifices or banging pots and pans like Martha. The reality is: the DOING IS DONE.

Sit at the feet of Jesus today. He is our righteousness. He prays for us now...the eternally perfect High Priest never slumbers or sleeps.

Lord God, tear the veil of our hearts today. Show us the real Holy of Holies.

We would see Jesus!