PROF.
BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons)
MA, PhD.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
AND OTHER TABERNACLES
Devotional
Text: Matt. 17:1-8
Introduction:
By way of definition, a tabernacle is any temporary dwelling, a
hut, tent or booth. In the Old Testament, a tabernacle is a portable tent used
before the construction of the temple, where the presence of God was believed
to dwell. Similarly, the United States pictures tabernacle as a temporary place
of worship, especially a tent, for a tent meeting, as with a venue for revival
meetings. However, the catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II, section 1183,
shows that the Church in 1997 orders that tabernacles be situated “in churches
in a most worthy place with the greatest honour”. The dignity, placing, and
security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the
Lord”… But, a closer look at the story of the scene of the transfiguration of Jesus
will readily reveal that tabernacles are not required inside built places of
worship, as the Catholic Church has instituted.
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1) The
transfiguration of Jesus reveals His glory, as the only Son of God, (Matt.
17:1-6)
(2) The
appearances of Moses and Elijah at the scene cites the law and prophets, (vs.
3-4).
(3) The later
disappearances of Moses and Elijah from the scene marks the end of the old
order, (vs. 7-8).
(4) The
remaining of Jesus alone at the scene marks the beginning of a new era, where
worship would be Christ-centered, (vs. 7-8).
MAN IS GOD’S
TABERNACLE ALONE
Without controversy, Peter’s request to build one tabernacle for
Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus, did not get an answer, because he
asked amiss, (vs. 4). To Peter, there was the need to build more physical
tabernacles, especially for Moses, Elijah and Jesus, as a way of attracting the
glory of God through them. but, to Jesus, there was the need to re-build the
human tabernacle(s) through His redemptive work on the cross of Calvary, as a
way of re-connecting man to the glory and presence of God, since He desires not
to live in tabernacles or houses made by man (Acts 7:48), but desires to live
in man, (II Cor. 6:16).
In this connection, man should understand that:
(i) he is God’s
tabernacle alone, and so, should have nothing to do with ungodly ties, (II Cor.
6:14-16).
(ii) He must,
therefore, separate from darkness and from all forms of wickedness, (vs. 14).
(iii) He must,
also, have nothing to do with idols, as well as separate self from unholy
activities of the unbelievers, (vs. 15-16).
MAN SHOULD
NOT MAKE OTHER TABERNACLES FOR HIMSELF.
In the Old Testament, the Scripture cites the tabernacle as God’s
meeting place with the people that warranted Him to dwell among (not in) them.
In that era, regular ceremonial sacrifices were required to actualize the
present of God, (Ex. 29:42-46).
However, In the New Testament, the atoning death of Jesus Christ
on the cross brought to an end the cited ritualistic dispensation, and thus,
through His blood, man’s sins are washed away, to make him a suitable
tabernacle for God to live in, (I Cor. 6:17). This does not suggest that
building places of worship is now forbidden, but shows that tabernacles in the
similitude of those built by Moses and Israel are no longer required in places
of worship, especially in the Christian church.
Furthermore, please note that Peter’s request, at the point of
transfiguration to make one tabernacle for Moses, one for Elijah and one for
Jesus, was strictly against the will of God, as it was a blind, as well as, a
blasphemous move to bring Moses, Elijah and Jesus to the same status of glory
(Matt. 17:3-4), since the Holy Scripture bluntly declares that the Lord will
not share His glory with any person, nor His praise with carved images, (Isa.
42:8). But, today, certain Gospel Ministers or Religious Leaders constitute
themselves; or rather their members establish them as other tabernacles in the
House of God. Thus, we see the adherents of such religious groups:
(i)
elevate the names of their leaders to the level, or even above the
Name of Jesus in prayer, (See Isa. 42:8)
(ii)
idolize such leaders that their messages or prophecies are seen as
infallible, even where they contradict the Word of God, (see Isa. 42:8)
(iii)
make the human ideology of such religious leaders compete with the
word of God in such a manner that the glory of God is shared between the leader
and God, (see Isa. 42:8).
In summary, let it be
noted here that the human tabernacle, that is, man himself is abused in any
life, where ungodly ties, wickedness, idolatry and unholy living are allowed to
reign, instead of Christ, (II Cor. 6:14-16). And, the tabernacle of a religious
leader (Pastor, evangelist, prophet, teacher, apostle, priest, bishop, etc) is
in focus in any church or group, where the ego of such a religious leader is in
competition with the glory of God, (Matt. 17:3-4). MIND WHAT YOU DO!
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