Has there ever been a place you wish you could go and feel total peace? Peace from a storm in your life, where you could truly feel whole, feel love, or protection? A place where you could be surrounded by encouraging smiles and joy? Well this would be a Sanctuary. The webster’s general definition of a sanctuary is “a place of refuge and protection”. For example a place for protection of wildlife is called “wildlife sanctuary”. A more detailed definition is a consecrated or holy place, the most sacred place of worship such as church or the altar.
We’re in the process of building a Sanctuary on our property in Wimberley, Texas. I told my daughter we were building a sanctuary and she was puzzled. I then realized other people may be puzzled too. Sanctuaries are the most holy places to worship. People today would think of a church. When we look at the Old Testament, Moses and Miriam made a song using the word “sanctuary”. This song is about the events that took place from the time they left Egypt and to the many people they had to overcome (Philistia, Edom, and Canaan). The Sanctuary was God’s residence. During the time of Exodus, God resided in the mountain tops. Moses and Aaron would make a journey to spend time with God. “You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.” Exodus 15:17 NIV
Later, God asked the Israelites to build a Sanctuary for him so he could be in the presence of the people. The Sanctuary was an Arc which would be housed in a Tabernacle. “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8 NASB1995). The Israelites carried an Arc of Covenant where the 10 commandments and other rules which were carved in stone were held. The Arc was beautifully made ovelayed with gold, and gold angels. And connected to the Arc were poles so that no one had to touch the Holy Arc. This Arc was placed in the holiest place inside the Tabernacle and hidden behind curtains.
In the New Testament, Jesus told Peter he would build a church on a rock that even Hell could not overcome. (Mathew 16:18). This is because God sent his son Jesus to save the people of this world. Peter called Jesus the Messiah (savior) of our world and Jesus confirms to Peter that God had revealed this to him.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not [g]prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [h]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Mathew 16:16-19 NKJV
Let us give a prayer of Thanks!
“Loving Father, thank you that you sent Jesus into the world to sacrifice his life for us. Thank you Jesus for dying for us so that we could receive the Holy Spirit and have everlasting life. We glorify you and look forward to the day of your return. Until then bless and protecting us. In Jesus Name Amen.”