JESUS IS OUR SANCTUARY
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NIV)
For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.
Colossians 2:9 (NLT)
When John wrote that Jesus made His dwelling among us, this means that He tabernacled (or pitched His tabernacle) among us. Because Jesus is God, He embodies the beauty and splendor of God. In the person of Jesus, the physical temple is no longer the sole focus as it had been throughout the Old Testament. Jesus declared, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up… (John 2:19-21). He was speaking of the temple of His body. Jesus is our sanctuary, which means that Jesus, through His sacrifice and ongoing ministry, provides a place of safety, refuge and spiritual protection for believers, much like the ancient sanctuary in the Old Testament.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture of idols. Our attention can be drawn away from God in such subtle ways that soon, we feel lost and alone, wondering where God is. We often seek refuge apart from Jesus. We’re prone to worship (give our time and life to) all sorts of things other than Jesus. Jesus is our sanctuary, which means He is God's new and true dwelling place. In Him, we are safe in life, safe in death, safe in judgment, and safe in eternity.
Today, let’s remember that Jesus is the true sanctuary. He is the new and true dwelling place of God, where God's presence has been fully realized.
I am a pilgrim in the world, but my home is in God. On the earth I wander, but Christ is my sanctuary. Charles Spurgeon
APPLICATION: On a notecard, write Jesus is my sanctuary. This may sound strange at first, but over time, allow this simple idea to become an anchor of truth for your soul—a daily reminder that Jesus brought God's full presence to earth.
PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, for bringing the fullness of God into this world. You are my true protector. My perfect peace. You are everything my heart truly longs for and everything I truly need. I pray You’d bring more of your fullness into my life today. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?