A Welcoming Work

Based on Exodus 27-28, Matthew 21:1-22

All the preparation of the tabernacle of the Old Testament was not just work...it was a welcoming committee for the presence of The Lord to dwell! In the New Testament until now, we are preparing to welcome the presence of Jesus into our daily lives!

We should never forget why we do the work of the ministry...it's not because God likes when we are busy, but it's because we are making way for Him to come through in our lives and the lives of others!

"And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord : it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel." Exodus 27:20-21.

Jesus, like the light burning in the tabernacle, was like a pure olive branch beaten to bring light into a dark world. He took the beating and pain so new life could be brought forth through the new births of souls! We need to welcome Him into our lives like the light in the tabernacle, and like the people praising Him at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem!

"And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me." Matthew 21:1‭-‬2.

They were near the Mount of Olives! And just like the tabernacle, pure olive oil was needed for the light...and no light is more pure than that of Jesus!

"And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD." Exodus 28:36.

Again, everything we do needs to be for Jesus, to represent His holiness! When we make the work of the ministry all about ourselves, it's no longer a welcoming work, honoring the presence of God! We need to flip that mindset, just like Jesus flipped the tables of the moneychangers in the temple! Jesus already bought us with the price of His Blood!

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." Matthew 21:12‭-‬13.

From the tabernacle, to the temple, to our hearts, we need to be sure our work is a welcoming work unto The Lord!