Verse of the day: Exodus 27:1-2 “You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar shall be square—and its height shall be three cubits. 2 You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze.”
The Brazen Altar, or Altar of Burnt Offerings, played a key role in the priest being able to access the rest of the Tabernacle. It was located in the courtyard as you enter the gate to the Tabernacle. It was a symbol of the Cross. Although made of acacia wood, it was overlaid with bronze in order to withstand the fire needed to consume the offerings. It was elevated with earth, a picture of that hill called Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. The horns on all four corners were a symbol of power. The only way to access service and fellowship with the LORD, there first had to be an acceptable sacrifice, the blood of an innocent animal without blemish. The blood of that animal was placed on the horns, signifying that there was life-giving power for the forgiveness of sin, and a picture of Jesus, the Horn of our salvation (Luke 1:69). Only after a sacrifice was made, could the priest enter the Holy Place or Holy of Holies. The brazen altar was a picture of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice He made on Calvary, when He gave His life on the Cross. Unlike the animals that were sacrificed year after year, Jesus was the ultimate Sacrifice, the Lamb of God. John the Baptist made this announcement in John 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” He gave His life once for all, a perfect Sacrifice, who was the “payment in full” for our sins (Hebrews 10:10; 1 John 2:2). In Christ, we have forgiveness of sin, and eternal fellowship with God. Hebrews 9:11-12 reads, “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” What does this mean for you and I today? It means that we have complete forgiveness and acceptance with God, in Christ, as born again believers. The enemy will do all that he can to convince us that, somehow, what Jesus did on Calvary was not enough, and that we must do something in addition to this to obtain and maintain eternal life. This is a lie straight from the pit of Hell. There is nothing we can do to add to what Jesus has already done. We are saved by grace, His kindness, and His mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-5). Even when we stumble, there is nothing that will separate us from God’s love, once we belong to Him (Romans 8:38-39). This does not preclude us from having to work out our salvation, and do what is right, doing all we can to avoid sinful behavior (Philippians 2:12-13; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 3:17). The bottom line is that what Christ did for us on Calvary is enough. We must not allow the trials of life, or our own moments of failure, be used by anyone, including our well-meaning brothers/sisters in Christ, to convince us that we have lost our salvation or have been abandoned by God. If we create a wedge in our fellowship with Him because of sin in our lives, let us now repent, confess it, and allow Him to restore our fellowship with Him (Psalm 51:12; 1 John 1:8-2:1). He promised that no one could take us from His hands, and that He would never leave us, nor forsake us; and that promise is unconditional (Hebrew 13:5-6). Jesus assured us in John 10:28-30, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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