Have you ever felt like an outsider? Today, 130 Church leaders will gather for the regional conference, and I hope every single one of them feels they belong in the room.
Belonging matters to all of us, especially when we wonder whether God thinks we belong. Life hurls so many curveballs at us, and we can easily wonder whether there is a way back after all we have been through.
The good news is that God has always made a way in. The walls of the tabernacle were not simply for demarcation; rather, they held together to form an entrance wide enough for everyone to enter. All matter and all are invited.
“Make a courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen, 10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 11 The north side shall also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 12 “The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases. 13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide. 14 Curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases. 16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases. 19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.” (Exodus 27 v 9-19)
We could focus on the curtains that marked out the place where God dwelt. They reminded them, and us, that God is holy.
But it also had an entrance, and that’s what I’m focusing on this morning.
- The entrance faced east, “toward the sunrise”. No matter how dark your night has been, God’s message is that a new day is always coming.
- There was only one entrance, but it was huge and wide enough for all. You may wonder whether there is room for you with all your baggage. There is room for you. Jesus, remember, is the entrance!
One final thought. The tent pegs were made of bronze. Those of us who have camped know how crucial tent pegs are on a stormy night! This tabernacle had strong tent pegs to hold it firm in desert winds. God has got you and is holding you in this difficult season. You don’t have to stay on the outside looking in. The gate is open, the sun is rising, and the God who designed the way in is waiting to welcome you home.
