The Church is God’s Sacred Space

Back when the Old Testament stories were still being lived out, God designated sacred spaces for His people to meet with Him.

First, God planted a garden in Eden—a beautiful space in paradise for His prized creations. Next, the tabernacle was a portable space in the wilderness for the Israelites who’d been rescued from Egyptian slavery. Then, the temple was a permanent space in Jerusalem for the people of Israel.

In all instances, these were specially chosen places of worship, as well as tangible signs of God’s presence. 

The Creator of everything that exists can’t be confined to a garden, a tent, or a building, but it was in those sacred spaces where heaven and earth could overlap.

Fun fact: Garden imagery is all over the decorative details of both the tabernacle and the temple: palm trees and pomegranates, water lilies and almond blossoms, lions and oxen, vibrant colors and precious metals. Such designs are meant to point back to the beginning—before things went wrong.

Because a holy God loves sinful people, we have a separation problem. That’s why priests were appointed as representatives—mediators for things like worship, sacrifices, and atonement. And though it worked for a while, it was only a temporary solution.

But when Jesus showed up, He not only fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and temple purposes, but He also bridged the gap. No longer was there a need for a temple made of wood or stone, but of flesh and blood. No longer was there a need for endless sacrifices, because Jesus, the ultimate high priest, had provided the ultimate sacrifice—Himself. Finally, God’s Spirit could now dwell with and inside of His people, the new and improved “temple.”

That’s why Paul asked the Corinthians:
“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?”
1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We serve a God who meets people where they are: in the garden, in the wilderness, in the temple, in themselves. 

So if you’re a follower of Christ, remember: You are the place where His Spirit now dwells. You are the vessel in which He lives and moves and works and empowers. You are the place where heaven and earth collide.