From Shadows to Substance: Embracing God's Presence

Summary

As the seasons change and we move toward summer, we are reminded of the God who orders creation—the sun, moon, and stars—and who is present with us in every season of life. Today, we explored the deep meaning behind the rituals, liturgies, and sacred objects of the Old Testament tabernacle, as described in Hebrews 9. While these ancient practices can seem distant or irrelevant, they were never meant to be empty motions or mere tradition. Instead, every detail of the tabernacle was designed by God to reveal His character—His holiness, mercy, presence, and desire to draw near to His people.

The tabernacle was a temporary, portable structure, a sign that God’s people were on a journey—not just to a place, but ultimately to a person: Jesus Christ. Each element—the altar, the basin, the lampstand, the bread, the incense, the veil, and the ark—was a shadow pointing forward to a greater reality. The altar reminded Israel that sin is costly and that forgiveness requires sacrifice. The basin symbolized the need for cleansing, not just outwardly but inwardly. The lampstand was the only light in the holy place, a sign that God is the giver of light and life. The bread of the presence spoke of God’s provision and nearness. The incense represented prayers rising to God, while the veil and the ark signified both the holiness of God and the separation between God and humanity.

Yet, all these rituals and objects were limited—they had to be repeated, and they could never fully cleanse the heart or grant unrestricted access to God. But in Jesus, every shadow finds its substance. He is the true sacrifice, the one who cleanses us completely, the light of the world, the bread of life, and our eternal High Priest. When Jesus died, the veil was torn, and the way into God’s presence was opened for all. No longer do we need to stand at a distance or settle for surface faith. We are invited to move beyond ritual into real relationship, to let God’s presence dwell within us, and to become living beacons of His grace.

The invitation is clear: don’t settle for the shadows when the true light has come. Don’t cling to old habits or guilt when Christ has made a way for you to live in the fullness of God’s presence. Let your life be transformed, not just informed, by the reality of Jesus.

Key Takeaways

- Rituals and traditions, while God-ordained and meaningful, are only shadows pointing to a deeper reality in Christ. When we cling to the familiar for comfort, we risk missing the fullness of what God offers—a living relationship, not just religious routine. The tabernacle’s beauty and order were never the destination, but signposts to something greater. [52:20]

- The repeated sacrifices and rituals of the old covenant highlighted both the seriousness of sin and the limitations of human effort. No matter how often they were performed, they could not cleanse the conscience or grant true access to God. Only Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice can purify us completely and open the way to God’s presence. [57:07]

- Every element of the tabernacle—altar, basin, lampstand, bread, incense, veil, and ark—finds its fulfillment in Jesus. He is the Lamb who was slain, the one who cleanses us, the light that overcomes darkness, the bread that nourishes, the mediator of our prayers, the one who tore the veil, and the presence of God now dwelling within us. Nothing in God’s story is wasted; all is fulfilled in Christ. [01:07:44]

- The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death is a powerful symbol: the barrier between God and humanity is gone. We are no longer kept at a distance, but welcomed boldly into God’s presence. This access is not based on our performance or ritual, but on the finished work of Christ, who invites us to live daily in the reality of His grace. [01:06:12]

- The call is to move beyond surface faith and ritual performance into a life transformed by God’s Spirit. When Christ is at the center, our habits become holy, our stories become sacred, and our lives shine as beacons of God’s presence. The invitation is to let go of guilt, old patterns, and mere symbols, and to embrace the fullness of life with God—intimate, daily, and real. [01:09:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:46] - Opening Prayer and Gathering
[40:14] - Wrestling with Ritual and Relevance
[43:43] - Exploring the Tabernacle: The Altar
[44:45] - The Bronze Basin and Cleansing
[45:41] - The Lampstand: God’s Light
[46:36] - The Bread of the Presence
[47:51] - The Altar of Incense and Prayer
[48:23] - The Veil: Separation from God
[49:46] - The Ark of the Covenant and Its Contents
[50:30] - The Mercy Seat and God’s Presence
[52:20] - Shadows and Signposts: The Tabernacle’s Purpose
[57:07] - The Limitations of Ritual and the Need for Christ
[57:59] - Jesus: The Fulfillment of Every Shadow
[01:06:12] - The Tearing of the Veil: Access to God
[01:09:02] - Living in the Presence: Invitation and Response
[01:21:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:21:42] - Fellowship and Celebration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “From Shadows to Substance: The Tabernacle and the Presence of God”

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### Bible Reading

- Hebrews 9:1–14 (Main text; the tabernacle, its rituals, and Christ’s fulfillment)
- Matthew 27:50–51 (The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death)
- John 8:12 (Jesus as the Light of the World)

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 9, what were some of the main objects and rituals found in the Old Testament tabernacle? What purpose did each serve? [43:43]
2. What happened to the veil in the temple when Jesus died, according to Matthew 27:50–51? Why is this detail significant? [01:06:12]
3. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” How does this connect to the lampstand in the tabernacle described in the sermon? [46:36]
4. The sermon described the tabernacle as “temporary, portable, and fragile.” Why was this important for God’s people? [52:20]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said that every part of the tabernacle was a “shadow” pointing to Jesus. What does it mean for something to be a shadow or a signpost in the context of faith? [52:20]
2. The repeated sacrifices in the old covenant “could not cleanse the conscience or grant true access to God.” Why do you think God set up a system that was limited in this way? [57:07]
3. When the veil was torn at Jesus’ death, the barrier between God and humanity was removed. What does this say about how God wants us to relate to Him now? [01:06:12]
4. The sermon said, “Don’t settle for the shadows when the true light has come.” What are some ways people today might cling to “shadows” instead of embracing the reality of Christ? [59:26]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon warned that rituals and traditions can become “comfortable” and even a hiding place. Are there any religious habits or routines in your life that have become empty or just “going through the motions”? What would it look like to let God bring new meaning to them? [52:20]
2. The altar in the tabernacle reminded Israel that “sin is costly and forgiveness requires sacrifice.” How do you personally respond to the idea that Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all” and that you don’t need to carry guilt anymore? Is there any guilt or shame you are still holding onto? [01:01:09]
3. The lampstand was the only light in the holy place, and Jesus is called the Light of the World. Where do you need God’s light to shine in your life right now? Are there areas of darkness or confusion you want to bring to Him? [46:36]
4. The bread of the presence spoke of God’s provision and nearness. In what ways have you experienced God’s provision recently? How can you become more aware of His presence in your daily life? [46:36]
5. The veil was a barrier, but now, through Jesus, we have “bold access” to God. Do you find it easy or difficult to approach God personally and honestly? What holds you back, and what would help you move closer? [01:06:12]
6. The sermon invited us to move “beyond surface faith and ritual performance into a life transformed by God’s Spirit.” What is one practical step you can take this week to pursue a deeper, more real relationship with God? [01:09:37]
7. The pastor said, “When Christ is at the center, our habits become holy, our stories become sacred, and our lives shine as beacons of God’s presence.” What is one habit or story from your life that you want God to use as a beacon to others? [01:09:37]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to move beyond routine and into deeper relationship with God, thanking Jesus for opening the way into God’s presence.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Fulfills the Tabernacle—From Shadows to Substance
Every detail of the tabernacle, from its structure to its rituals, was designed by God as a signpost pointing forward to Jesus. The sacrifices, the furnishings, and the sacred spaces were not the final destination but a shadow of the greater reality found in Christ. In Him, the temporary and repetitive rituals of the old covenant are fulfilled and replaced by a new, living way into God’s presence. The invitation is not to remain in the comfort of familiar rituals, but to step into the fullness of life and relationship that Jesus offers, leaving behind the shadows for the true light. [52:20]

Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV)
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Reflection:
Are there any religious habits or traditions you cling to for comfort that might be keeping you from experiencing the deeper reality of Christ’s presence today?

Day 2: The Final Sacrifice—Jesus Opens the Way
The old covenant required continual sacrifices, a constant reminder that sin is serious and costly, and that access to God was always limited and mediated. But Jesus, as the true Lamb of God, offered Himself once and for all, tearing down the barrier that separated us from God. His sacrifice is enough—no more repetition, no more distance. Now, the way into God’s presence is open to all who trust in Him, and we are invited to come boldly, leaving guilt and shame behind. [58:32]

Hebrews 9:24-26 (ESV)
"For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Reflection:
What guilt or shame are you still carrying that Jesus has already taken upon Himself? Will you lay it down and step into the freedom He offers?

Day 3: Cleansed and Made New—Not Just on the Surface
The rituals of washing in the tabernacle could only cleanse the outside, but in Christ, we are offered a cleansing that goes far deeper. Through His sacrifice and the work of the Holy Spirit, we are washed, renewed, and made completely new from the inside out. No longer do we just look clean; we are made clean—our hearts, our consciences, and our very lives transformed by His grace. This is not a surface change, but a total renewal that empowers us to live as God’s people every day. [01:01:09]

Titus 3:5 (ESV)
"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."

Reflection:
Is there an area of your life where you’ve settled for surface-level change? How can you invite Jesus to cleanse and renew you more deeply today?

Day 4: God’s Presence Within—No Longer Distant
In the old covenant, God’s presence was hidden behind a veil, accessible only to the high priest once a year. But when Jesus died, the veil was torn in two, and God’s presence is no longer confined to a place or a box. Through Christ, God now dwells within His people by the Holy Spirit, writing His law on our hearts and making us His living temple. We carry His presence with us wherever we go, invited to live not at a distance but in daily, intimate relationship with Him. [01:07:04]

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV)
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reflection:
How does knowing that God’s presence dwells within you change the way you approach your day and your interactions with others?

Day 5: From Ritual to Relationship—Living as God’s Beacon
The journey through the tabernacle was never meant to end in ritual performance but to lead to real relationship with God. In Christ, the invitation is to move beyond surface faith and into a life transformed by grace, where our habits become holy, our stories become sacred, and our lives shine as beacons of God’s presence to the world. Don’t just admire the symbols or repeat the motions—let your life be reshaped by the Spirit, carrying the reality of Christ wherever you go. [01:09:37]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection:
What is one practical way you can move from simply “going through the motions” to intentionally deepening your relationship with Jesus this week?

Quotes

Also in the holy place was a small table with 12 loaves of bread. This was called the bread of the presence and it reminded everyone that God provided for his people and that he was there. He was present with them.

The Ark of the Covenant was extra special because it symbolized the presence of God in the temple. Not only did it contain the symbols of God's covenant with Israel, but on top of it was what was called the mercy seat, where once a year the high priest would sprinkle blood from an animal sacrificed on the bronze altar outside to atone for the sins of the people.

Let's be honest, a lot of people when they hear words like liturgy, ritual, or even sacraments think old, irrelevant, dry, maybe even boring. It's just going through the motions, or maybe they think they're things from long ago that quite honestly need to stay back long ago—things or practices that don't fit with modern contemporary worship. Maybe that's you, or maybe you felt that way at some time in the past. You've sat through services where people stood up and sat down at the right times, said the right words at the right time, sang the right songs, and yet something felt off—like there was movement and there was words but there was no meaning. It's like the engine of the car was on but it was going nowhere. [00:40:12]

On the altar animals were sacrificed as an offering for sin and blood was poured out. Now that might seem strange or even harsh to us but for Israel, for the Israelites, it was a visible reminder of sin. A visible reminder that sin was serious and that life, a life of sin had a cost. So the altar was where people brought offerings to people to say, God, we're sorry, please forgive us so we can be right with you. It was their first step in coming to worship God. [00:44:38]

Between the altar and the entrance to the tabernacle was the laver, a basin filled with water. Again, it was bronze. The priests had to wash their hands and feet before going further, before they could move into the holy place on their journey into God's presence. This action was all about cleansing, not just on the outside but as a symbol of being clean on the inside. [00:45:33]

The golden lampstand which was shaped like a tree with branches and lights to remind the Israelites of creation, of life, and the light that God provides. This was the only light inside the tabernacle. Without it the holy place would have been in darkness. [00:46:20]

Just before the inner curtain was the altar of incense. It was here that the priests made sure that the incense burned continuously. They would burn fragrant spices like frankincense morning and evening. The sweet smelling smoke would rise upward like prayers reminding the Israelites that their prayers went up to God. [00:48:08]

Then there was the veil, a thick curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place, the most sacred place in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could go in there, and then only once a year, because this was the place that symbolised the presence of God. This veil reminded everyone there is a barrier between you and God. God is holy, you are not. And so not just anyone could walk in. Not just anyone could approach God. Not just anyone could be in God's presence. [00:48:49]

The tabernacle and all its furnishings, even the rituals of worship, were a copy and shadow of the real one in heaven. Now, he's not saying that the tabernacle is meaningless, that its furnishings and its rituals are meaningless or without purpose, because they were purposeful. They were beautiful. They were God-ordained. But they were never the final point. They were never the final destination. They were never the full light. They were shadows of something greater that was still to come. Signposts pointing forward to a deeper, brighter, and much better reality. [00:51:56]

The tabernacle reveals God's character. It revealed his holiness because no one could approach God without first being cleansed. It revealed his mercy—he made a way though that people could in fact approach him. It revealed his presence—he dwelt in the midst of his people though he was hidden from their sight by that veil. And it revealed his intention to draw near to his people, to dwell with his people and to restore his people. [00:53:57]

The real significance of the temple: it was a tent, not a temple, not a permanent building. It was portable, it was temporary, and it was fragile. Why? Because God's people were still on a journey and that journey wasn't towards a location, although that's what they thought—the land of Canaan—but toward a person. [00:54:33]

God designed all those rituals, all those practices to remind the Israelites of two great truths: God is holy but sin is costly. And they were reminded of these truths often because these rituals were repeated time and time again, day after day. And it's the fact that these rituals, these liturgies, these sacrifices had to be repeated that shows us their limitation. [00:55:31]

He didn't enter into a man-made tabernacle. He entered into a heavenly one. He didn't bring the blood of animals. He brought his own. He didn't need to repeat his sacrificial offering. He did it once for all time for everyone. He didn't just cleanse the outside. He gave us the opportunity to purify the inside, to purify our innermost being. It's not a better ritual. It's a new reality. [00:58:13]

In Christ, the barrier is torn. The barrier is removed. The throne of God is no longer guarded. It is open to all, and everyone is welcomed in. We are all welcomed into the presence of God. We are offered the opportunity to come out of the shadows and into the light. [00:59:07]

In the old covenant, forgiveness came through substitution. But now in Christ, we no longer bring lambs to the altar because Jesus is the lamb. And Hebrews 9, 12 reminds us that he entered the most holy place once and for all by his own blood, securing for us eternal redemption. There is no need for repetition. His sacrifice is enough once and for all and for everyone. [01:00:37]

So now in Christ we are cleansed with more than water. In Titus 3 verse 5 we read he washed away our sins giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Christ doesn't just cleanse the surface he cleanses our entire being making us completely new. The Old Testament the priest washed their hands and feet before serving but Christ washes our hearts, our consciousness, and our very lives. We don't just look clean, we are made clean. [01:01:55]

But Jesus declares I am the light of the world. He is not just a flicker in the darkness, he is the light that darkness cannot overcome and through the spirit his light now dwells in us. In the holy place there was a lamp burning, now Christ himself is our light. [01:02:56]

Now Jesus says I am the bread of life. He doesn't simply provide the bread, he is the bread. He nourishes our souls and sustains our lives and welcomes all to his table, not just priests but everyone who hungers for God's grace and love. The Israelites saw bread and remembered God's presence but now we don't just see the bread, we share in it. We know Christ and he nourishes our souls. [01:03:54]

Now in Christ we no longer need a human mediator. Hebrews 7:25 reminds us that Jesus lives forever to intercede with God on our behalf. He is our eternal high priest. Our prayers rise not through smoke but through the name of Jesus Christ. The smoke of incense rose up like prayer. Today our prayers don't need a mediator between us and God. We can speak directly to God and Christ himself speaks on our behalf. We are heard. [01:04:55]

But when Jesus died, the veil was torn in two from top to bottom. It was huge. Access was granted to us. The separation ended and now, through Christ, we come boldly to the throne of grace. The veil said, stop, this is as far as you go. But when Jesus died, the veil tore. The door was opened. There is no more separation between us and God. [01:06:02]

Now, God doesn't dwell in a box. Through the Spirit, He dwells in us. As Jeremiah 31, 33 told us, God's law is written not on stone, but on our hearts. We are the temple. We are the dwelling place of the Most High. God. The Israelites carried the ark through the desert. God's presence always with them between the cherubim. Now, the presence of God is not in a box. It's in us. We carry the presence of God with us wherever we go. [01:07:10]

All of this, every piece of furniture, every ritual, every shadow was not thrown away. It was fulfilled. Nothing was wasted. The tabernacle was never meant to last forever because the true meaning of every part of it was meant to be found in Jesus. And so it has been. The light has come. The curtain is torn. The altar has seen its final sacrifice. The true bread has been given. The real presence of God has arrived. [01:07:51]

Because Christ didn't just tear the veil. He tore open the way to a life with God. Full life. Intimate life. Transformed life. Not distant worship, but daily presence. Not ritual performance, but real relationship. [01:08:49]

Don't just admire the trappings of Christianity and all their glory and magnificence, the tabernacle and what it all represented. Enter the presence of God. Don't just repeat the rituals wherever you are. Be reshaped by grace. Don't just carry the symbols with you, but carry the spirit. Because when Christ is the center of your life, your habits become holy. Your story becomes sacred. And your life becomes a living beacon to everyone. [01:10:00]

Chatbot

What does the tabernacle symbolize about God's character?

How does Jesus fulfill Old Testament rituals and symbols?

In what ways does Christ remove spiritual barriers?